Los Angeles – Protests in Los Angeles have intensified over recent immigration raids and the controversial deployment of National Guard troops ordered by President Donald Trump. Crowds clashed with police over the weekend, and the situation has grown more chaotic by the day.
CNN reporters on the ground described tense scenes as police used flash-bang grenades and tear gas to break up demonstrators, some of whom set self-driving cars on fire. Authorities declared Downtown LA an unlawful assembly zone after dozens of arrests.
President Trump deployed around 300 National Guard troops to protect federal buildings and personnel — a move that bypassed state approval, something not seen in decades. An additional 500 Marines are reportedly on standby for possible deployment.
California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass condemned the federal action, calling it provocative and legally questionable. Newsom announced that the state will sue the Trump administration.
Protesters have now taken to the streets for four consecutive days. Many are driven by outrage over immigration enforcement actions, the unexpected military presence, and claims that some demonstrators may be “professional rioters” trying to escalate tensions.