LOS ANGELES, CA — Violent protests erupted for a third straight day in Los Angeles as demonstrators opposing federal immigration enforcement clashed with law enforcement, blocked major freeways, and set vehicles on fire.
The protests prompted President Donald Trump to authorize the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops to restore law and order.
What began as scattered demonstrations Friday over Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids escalated sharply by Sunday, with protesters storming onto the 101 Freeway, vandalizing federal buildings, and attacking law enforcement officers with rocks, bottles, and fireworks.
Some protesters waved Mexican flags and shouted anti-police slogans, while others torched vehicles near the historic Olvera Street district of downtown LA.
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) declared multiple “unlawful assemblies” throughout the day as crowds refused to disperse and began blocking traffic and damaging property. LAPD and California Highway Patrol officers, backed by National Guard troops, responded with flash-bang grenades and non-lethal munitions to disperse agitators.
In a morning post on X, LAPD stated, “Everyone has the right to peacefully assemble and voice their opinions. However, vandalizing property and attempting to seriously injure officers, whether Federal or LAPD, is not peaceful.”
Later in the day, another alert read: “Demonstrators have halted vehicles on Los Angeles North of Arcadia St and ignited the vehicles. Our partners with LAFD are attempting to enter the area to extinguish the fire. This is a historic area of DTLA, Olvera St. An UNLAWFUL ASSEMBLY has been issued for the entire area.”
At least one protester was arrested as others masked their faces and used parked cars to form roadblocks. The unrest forced officers to retreat at points and re-form skirmish lines as protesters surged forward. In one instance, a demonstrator stood atop a minivan mocking the Guard’s presence with a sign that read, “National Guard LOL.”
The National Guard deployment came amid growing tensions between federal and California state authorities. President Trump invoked his authority under federal law to deploy troops without a governor’s request, citing what he called “lawlessness that has been allowed to fester” under Democratic leadership.
“We’ll send whatever we need to make sure there’s law and order,” Trump told reporters before boarding Air Force One. “Last night in Los Angeles we watched it very closely, there was a lot of violence there and it could have got much worse.”
Asked if protests might spread, Trump replied, “We’re gonna have troops everywhere. We’re not going to let this happen to our country. We’re not going to let our country be torn apart like it was under Biden.”
Trump also warned California officials could face charges if they obstruct enforcement: “If officials stay in the way of law and order, yeah, they will face charges.”
California Gov. Gavin Newsom called Trump’s move inflammatory and announced plans to sue the administration, calling the deployment a “serious breach of state sovereignty.” Mayor Karen Bass blamed the administration for provoking chaos and insisted the protests were being mishandled for political purposes.
But the White House made clear the action was necessary. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt condemned the protests as “violent mobs” targeting ICE officers for enforcing deportation orders. “These criminals will be arrested and swiftly brought to justice,” she said, slamming California Democrats for failing to protect their citizens.
U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli issued a warning that interfering with federal law enforcement would result in arrest and prosecution. “Federal law enforcement operations are proceeding as planned this weekend in Los Angeles County,” he posted on X.
As of Sunday evening, the unrest showed few signs of stopping. Homeland Security officials confirmed that additional federal assets remain on standby, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said active-duty Marines could be deployed if the violence continues.
Trump allies, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, backed the federal response. “Gavin Newsom has shown an inability or an unwillingness to do what is necessary, so the president stepped in,” Johnson said.
The National Guard deployment — the first without a state request in California in decades — marked a historic escalation as Trump vowed to reestablish control in cities he says have been overrun by soft-on-crime policies and open-border ideologies.