In early June 2025, Los Angeles County erupted in unrest as federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) carried out coordinated raids across the region. These operations, executed on June 6 in locations including the Fashion District, a clothing warehouse, and a Home Depot, resulted in the arrest of over 100 undocumented immigrants—44 detained on Friday and a total of 118 by Sunday. The raids sparked spontaneous protests that quickly turned confrontational. Demonstrators in downtown Los Angeles, Paramount, and Compton clashed with law enforcement, throwing rocks, fireworks, and cement against agents, who responded with tear gas, stun grenades, and pepper balls. In some cases, cars and trash piles were set ablaze amid the chaos.

By June 7, tensions had escalated significantly. Protestors blocked streets surrounding a Home Depot in Paramount, with reports of mortar fireworks, fires, and several individuals injured─including two sheriff’s deputies. Although LAPD noted that unrest within the city proper remained largely peaceful, federal authorities characterized the gatherings south of LA as violent and threatening. In response, on Saturday night, President Trump issued a presidential memorandum invoking Title 10 of the U.S. Code, effectively federalizing the California National Guard and deploying 2,000 troops to Los Angeles County without Governor Gavin Newsom’s consent. This marked the first time since the 1965 Selma marches that a president bypassed a state governor to deploy troops under this authority. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth additionally placed active-duty Marines on high alert at Camp Pendleton.

Governor Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass strongly condemned the move. Newsom called it “purposefully inflammatory,” accusing the Trump administration of staging a spectacle rather than addressing public safety. Meanwhile, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and the ACLU warned of legal action, arguing the deployment risked eroding civil rights. By early Sunday, National Guard units began arriving at key sites including downtown federal buildings, City Hall, and areas previously impacted by protests. Local authorities declared an unlawful assembly in select zones and made several arrests for failing to disperse.

As the region braces for further protests—including a planned Sunday afternoon rally outside City Hall—authorities face the challenge of balancing enforcement with respect for civil liberties. The deployment of federal troops has intensified the standoff between the Trump administration and California’s leadership, highlighting broader national divisions over immigration enforcement, states’ rights, and the militarization of domestic crises. Many now watch closely to see if this heightened federal presence will suppress violence or fuel deeper unrest.