LOS ANGELES (KTLA) Protests sparked by Friday and Saturday’s ICE raids continue to erupt across Los Angeles areas, some scenes turning violent and destructive, leading President Donald Trump to deploy thousands of National Guard troops to the region and the U.S. Defense Secretary threatening to mobilize active duty Marines.
On Saturday, protests had already begun across L.A. when ICE conducted a raid in the heavily Latino city of Paramount, south of Los Angeles. Not long after, a protest started in Compton where demonstrators set a car on fire, followed by more destructive demonstrations heading into the night.
Sky5 of Nexstar’s KTLA was overhead when protestors set off fireworks toward a skirmish line of federal officers who, in turn, used pepper balls and rubber bullets to push back in downtown L.A. As this protest developed, the L.A. Police Department’s Central Division declared an “Unlawful Assembly” just after 9 p.m., ordering crowds to disperse and leave the area of Alameda Street between Aliso and Temple.
LAPD said multiple people were detained after warning that individuals who refused to leave would be subject to arrest – one of several heated scenes that continue to heighten tensions between local and federal government officials.
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A demonstrator waves an American and Mexican flag during a protest in Compton, Calif., Saturday, June 7, 2025, after federal immigration authorities conducted operations. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope) -
Law enforcement investigate a car with a person inside during a protest in Compton, Calif., Saturday, June 7, 2025, after federal immigration authorities conducted operations. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope) -
A protester throws a rock amidst tear gas from law enforcement during a demonstration after federal immigration authorities conducted operations, Saturday, June 7, 2025, in Paramount, Calif. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer) -
Border Patrol personnel deploy tear gas during a demonstration over the dozens detained in an operation by federal immigration authorities a day earlier, in Paramount, Calif., Saturday, June 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer) -
Police detain a man during a protest in Paramount, Calif., Saturday, June 7, 2025, after federal immigration authorities conducted operations. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer) -
Federal officers created a skirmish line to push back protestors gathered in downtown Los Angeles on Saturday night over ICE raids happening in SoCal. Gil Leyvas reports from Sky5 on June 7, 2025. (KTLA) -
Federal officers created a skirmish line to push back protestors gathered in downtown Los Angeles on Saturday night over ICE raids happening in SoCal. Gil Leyvas reports from Sky5 on June 7, 2025. (KTLA)
Earlier Saturday evening, Governor Newsom announced on X that the state deployed additional California Highway Patrol units “to maintain safety on Los Angeles highways.”
“The federal government is sowing chaos so they can have an excuse to escalate,” the post added. “That is not the way any civilized country behaves.”
In a follow-up post at 5:13 p.m., Newsom shared news that the federal government was starting to “take over” the state’s National Guard, calling the move “purposefully inflammatory,” saying it “will only escalate tensions.”
“The Guard has been admirably serving LA throughout recovery,” said the post. “This is the wrong mission and will erode public trust.”
Less than 10 minutes later, President Trump threatened to increase federal forces in the following post on Truth Social:
“If Governor Gavin Newscum, of California, and Mayor Karen Bass, of Los Angeles, can’t do their jobs, which everyone knows they can’t, then the Federal Government will step in and solve the problem, RIOTS & LOOTERS, the way it should be solved!!!”
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass then posted a statement on X, calling it a “difficult time for our city,” referring to both the federal immigration sweeps as well as ongoing recovery efforts following the deadly January wildfires.
“Reports of unrest outside the city, including in Paramount, are deeply concerning,” read Bass’ statement. “We’ve been in direct contact with officials in Washington, D.C., and are working closely with law enforcement to find the best path forward.”
The White House released a statement shortly after, announcing that Trump officially deployed the 2,000 National Guard troops “to address the lawlessness that has been allowed to fester.”
“In recent days, violent mobs have attacked ICE Officers and Federal Law Enforcement Agents carrying out basic deportation operations in Los Angeles,” the statement read. “The Trump Administration has a zero tolerance policy for criminal behavior and violence, especially when that violence is aimed at law enforcement officers trying to do their jobs.”
The statement also explicitly calls out political party leaders, saying, “California’s feckless Democrat leaders have completely abdicated their responsibility to protect their citizens.”
Joining in on the multi-social media platforms conversation, FBI Director Kash Patel posted to X, saying, “Hit a cop, you’re going to jail… doesn’t matter where you came from, how you got here, or what movement speaks to you. If the local police force won’t back our men and women on the thin blue line, we [FBI] will.”
U.S. Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth chimed in on X as well, threatening to mobilize active duty Marines at Camp Pendleton “if violence continues.”
In response to the federal government deploying the National Guard, Newsom posted another X post at 7:22 p.m., saying this decision was “not because there is a shortage of law enforcement, but because they want a spectacle.”
“Don’t give them one,” concluded the post. “Never use violence. Speak out peacefully.”
