Breaking: Trump Sends National Guard to L.A. as ICE Protests Ignite

Date Published: June 7, 2025

Los Angeles is witnessing its most intense civil unrest in years, as anti-ICE protests erupt across multiple neighborhoods—including Compton, Paramount, and downtown L.A.—in response to federal immigration raids that have triggered a strong and controversial federal reaction. President Donald Trump has ordered the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops under Title 10 federal authority, bypassing state control.

Protests Erupt After ICE Raids

Demonstrations began after multiple detentions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) across Los Angeles County, including a high-profile raid near a Home Depot in Paramount. Protesters took to the streets, facing off with local law enforcement and federal agents.

Flash-bang grenades, tear gas, and rubber bullets were deployed in response to escalating tension. A burning vehicle in Compton became a symbol of the chaos as protestors rallied against what they called "targeted raids against immigrant families."

Trump Activates National Guard Under Title 10

President Trump, in a late-night social media post, stated:

“If Governor Gavin Newscum and Mayor Karen Bass can’t do their jobs, then the Federal Government will step in and solve the problem—RIOTS & LOOTERS—the way it should be solved!!!”

The activation of the National Guard under Title 10 puts the troops under federal, not state, command—an unusual and provocative move that legal analysts say may test the limits of federal intervention in local law enforcement.

Local Leaders React

California Governor Gavin Newsom sharply criticized the federal intervention, calling it "dangerous political theater" and warning that the escalation could inflame already volatile conditions. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass joined in condemning the deployment, stating that "militarizing the response to community anger only worsens the problem."

Escalation Continues in Key Areas

• In Paramount, federal agents fired crowd-control munitions as demonstrators chanted slogans and lit roadblocks on fire.

• In Compton, a group of protesters clashed with riot police near a burned-out vehicle.

• Downtown L.A. saw police establish barricades near the federal courthouse to prevent escalation.

What Title 10 Means

Title 10 of the U.S. Code gives the federal government authority over military deployment, bypassing state control. Legal experts argue that this use of Title 10—outside of natural disasters or clear threats to national security—sets a new and troubling precedent.

What Happens Next?

Civil rights groups and immigrant advocates warn that this level of military-style enforcement could chill protected speech and expand federal powers beyond constitutional limits. As protests continue into the night, all eyes remain on Los Angeles—and on Washington.