Clashes intensified overnight in Los Angeles as protests erupted over federal immigration raids, prompting President Trump to issue a forceful call to “BRING IN THE TROOPS.” The city was rocked by reports of looting, vandalism, and over two dozen arrests, fueling a political firestorm between state and federal leaders.
At the center of the unrest are immigration sweeps conducted by federal agents over the weekend, which activists say unfairly target Latino and immigrant communities. Protesters flooded the streets in response, leading to confrontations with LAPD officers. According to Chief Jim McDonnell, at least 27 people were arrested Sunday, with violence escalating and law enforcement warning of “increasingly dangerous conditions.”
Trump took to social media Monday morning to criticize city and state leaders, claiming the situation looked “really bad” and demanding the deployment of National Guard troops. Over 2,000 National Guard members have reportedly begun arriving in the city, drawing criticism from California officials.
Governor Gavin Newsom pushed back sharply, accusing the president of acting like a “dictator” and inflaming the situation for political gain. “We’re cleaning up Trump’s mess,” Newsom said, arguing that the federal response has only deepened public mistrust and unrest. LA Mayor Karen Bass also criticized the deployment, calling for de-escalation and dialogue rather than force.
The protests come amid a national reckoning over immigration policy, police militarization, and federal overreach. Civil rights groups have condemned both the raids and the troop mobilization, warning that such heavy-handed tactics threaten constitutional freedoms and provoke further violence.
As tensions rise, Los Angeles braces for another day of demonstrations. With political rhetoric heating up on both sides, the city remains on edge—and the nation is watching.
