LA Protests: California State Challenge President Trump on Immigration Enforcement

Date: June 8, 2025 | NewsMakers Web Desk

Los Angeles suffered a political and civil storm this week as protests over aggressive immigration enforcement spiraled into violence — prompting President Donald Trump to deploy 2,000 National Guard troops to restore law and order.

What began as scattered demonstrations against federal crackdowns quickly erupted into full-blown clashes. Protesters hurled concrete chunks, defaced buildings, and slashed tires, while police in riot gear responded with tear gas and flash-bang grenades. The Department of Homeland Security reported the situation as one of the most volatile confrontations between federal immigration forces and local resistance in recent memory.

Trump Takes the Gloves Off

On June 7, Trump signed a memorandum authorizing the military deployment. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt didn’t mince words, accusing “left-wing radicals waving foreign flags” of attacking ICE and Border Patrol agents. “Mob violence will be quelled. The criminals responsible will be brought to justice,” she said, emphasizing the administration’s zero-tolerance policy.

In a social media post, Trump lashed out at California Governor Gavin Newsom and L.A. Mayor Karen Bass, accusing them of allowing “riots and looters” to take control. “If they won’t act, we will,” he declared.

Mayhem on the Ground

More than 1,000 protesters surrounded a federal building on June 6, according to ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons. “Our agents were vastly outnumbered for hours. What happened was appalling,” he said. Despite injuries to federal personnel, Lyons vowed to press on with enforcement efforts.

Border Patrol Chief Michael Banks shared images of a rock-pierced windshield that injured an agent. “This is what our agents face daily. It could have been much worse,” he wrote online.

FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino announced that several arrests had been made, with more on the way. “We’re reviewing footage. You bring chaos, and we’ll bring handcuffs,” he said.

Political Flashpoint

But not everyone supports the crackdown. Governor Newsom slammed the military deployment as “inflammatory” and warned it could further erode public trust. Mayor Bass called the raids “terrorizing tactics” and pledged solidarity with immigrant-rights organizations.

“The LAPD will not assist in mass deportations,” said Police Chief Jim McDonnell. “We’re here to protect public safety — not act as immigration agents.”

Union Leader Arrested

Adding to the controversy, union president David Huerta of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) was arrested and injured while documenting the protests. ICE says he was obstructing federal agents; Huerta calls it an attack on his First Amendment rights. He is scheduled for arraignment in federal court on June 9.

U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli remained defiant: “I don’t care who you are. If you interfere with federal agents, you will be arrested and prosecuted.”

Operation Patriot Continues

Despite the unrest, ICE announced that nearly 1,500 undocumented immigrants were arrested in Massachusetts last month under “Operation Patriot,” signaling a nationwide expansion of enforcement efforts.

As tensions flare and ideological fault lines deepen, one thing is clear — America’s immigration battle is no longer just a policy debate. It’s now playing out in the streets.