Protests in L.A. escalate after Trump sends National Guard without state consent, sparking fires, clashes, and legal outcry from state officials.
Unrest Deepens as Troops Enter City
Los Angeles descended into chaos Sunday as thousands of protesters flooded downtown in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to unilaterally deploy the National Guard. The move—made without Governor Gavin Newsom’s consent—ignited tensions, leading to freeway shutdowns, property damage, and violent confrontations between demonstrators and law enforcement.
Downtown Transforms into a Flashpoint
Clashes erupted around the Metropolitan Detention Center as protesters rallied against the recent immigration crackdown. National Guard troops and police in riot gear met the crowds with tear gas, flash-bang grenades, and rubber bullets. Protesters blocked sections of the 101 Freeway and set four autonomous Waymo vehicles ablaze, sending smoke plumes over the city. Police declared an unlawful assembly by evening and began dispersing crowds block by block.
A Crisis Triggered by Federal Arrests
The protests are the latest flashpoint in response to federal immigration arrests carried out since Friday, including in Los Angeles’ fashion district and parking lots across nearby communities like Compton and Paramount. More than 100 immigrants have been detained, and over a dozen protesters—including a prominent union leader—were arrested for obstructing law enforcement efforts.
State Leaders Condemn Federal Intervention
Governor Newsom and L.A. Mayor Karen Bass publicly rebuked the federal deployment. In a letter Sunday, Newsom called the move a “serious breach of state sovereignty.” Bass blamed the unrest directly on the Trump administration, saying it “provoked chaos” rather than restoring order. The administration dismissed those claims, with a White House spokesperson labeling the protests “a violent crisis ignored by Democrats.”
Deployment Marks a Legal and Historical Shift
Trump’s order to deploy troops without a governor’s request marks a rare use of federal authority—last seen in 1965 during civil rights marches in Alabama. He invoked the Insurrection Act, claiming a “rebellion” justified intervention. By Sunday, 300 National Guard members were already stationed across Los Angeles, with 2,000 more federally authorized and Marines on standby at Twentynine Palms.
Critics Warn of Authoritarian Overreach
Legal scholars and political figures, including Senator Bernie Sanders, condemned the deployment as a dangerous overreach of presidential power. Sanders warned it reflects a trend toward “authoritarianism” and the erosion of congressional authority. Trump, however, vowed continued action: “We’re gonna have troops everywhere… We’re not going to let our country be torn apart like it was under Biden.”
The Road Ahead Remains Uncertain
As Los Angeles braces for more protests, calls for federal de-escalation continue. Yet with troops entrenched and more arrests likely, the standoff between local and federal authority may only deepen. Whether Sunday marks a tipping point or the beginning of a prolonged conflict remains to be seen.
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