Protests in Los Angeles after Trump deployed the National Guard

 

Los Angeles Protests Escalate as Trump Deploys National Guard: Impacts on Immigration Policy and Civil Unrest

June 10, 2025 — Los Angeles has become the epicenter of a heated national debate after President Donald Trump deployed thousands of National Guard troops and 700 Marines to quell protests against aggressive Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids. The move, criticized by California Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass as an unconstitutional overreach, has sparked clashes, legal battles, and broader questions about federal authority versus local governance.

 

The Trigger: ICE Raids and Community Backlash

Protests erupted on June 6 after ICE conducted sweeping raids in Los Angeles’ immigrant communities, detaining over 40 individuals, including labor leader David Huerta. Demonstrators, decrying the separations of families, blockaded federal buildings and clashed with police, leading to vandalism, burned vehicles, and arrests.

 

Key developments:

 

Federal Force Expansion: Trump doubled the National Guard deployment to 4,000 troops and activated Marines from Camp Pendleton, citing the need to protect federal property.

 

Local Pushback: Newsom and Bass argue the deployments inflame tensions, with LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell warning of "operational chaos" due to lack of coordination.

 

Legal Challenges: California filed lawsuits alleging Trump violated the 10th Amendment by federalizing the National Guard without state consent—a rare move last seen during the 1965 Selma marches.

 

Impact on Los Angeles: Chaos or Calm?

While Trump claims the Guard prevented the city from "burning to the ground," reports indicate protests are largely confined to downtown, with most areas unaffected. However, incidents like torched Waymo robotaxis and graffiti-covered buildings dominate media coverage.

 

Economic Costs: The Pentagon estimates the deployment will cost $134 million over 60 days, drawing criticism from lawmakers like Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN).

 

Political Fallout: Democrats accuse Trump of using the military as "political pawns," while Republicans like Sen. John Thune (R-SD) defend the action as necessary to uphold federal law.

 

National Repercussions

The protests have spread to cities like San Francisco, Austin, and New York, reflecting growing resistance to Trump’s immigration policies. Meanwhile, the administration’s rhetoric—framing protesters as "anarchists"—echoes past divisive language, further polarizing public opinion 37.

 

Key Takeaways

Constitutional Clash: The standoff tests limits of federal power, with California’s lawsuits potentially setting a precedent for state autonomy.

 

Militarized Policing: Marines’ presence marks a controversial shift toward domestic military use, raising concerns about escalation.

 

2025 Election Shadow: Analysts suggest Trump is leveraging the crisis to rally his base, while Democrats mobilize around immigrant rights.

 

Looking Ahead

As cleanup crews scrub downtown graffiti and courts weigh in, the Los Angeles protests underscore a nation deeply divided over immigration, executive power, and the role of force in civil dissent. With Trump pledging further crackdowns and activists vowing resistance, the fallout may reshape U.S. policy long after the streets quiet.