What started as protests against immigration raids in downtown LA has exploded into a national moment.
It began last Friday, when ICE agents raided the city’s garment district, targeting undocumented workers. Protesters quickly gathered, chanting, throwing eggs, and clashing with police. By the weekend, demonstrations had spread to working-class areas like Paramount and Compton, and law enforcement responded with tear gas and rubber bullets. Though many protests were peaceful, hundreds have been arrested, and police munitions have left demonstrators and journalists injured.
By Sunday, Trump unilaterally and controversially deployed nearly 300 National Guard troops. The National Guard is a unique branch of the US military made up of part-time soldiers who usually live and work in their communities and serve both state (in this case, California) and federal governments (Trump). California’s governor, Gavin Newsom, who has emerged as a political contender to Trump after these events, opposed the move. On Monday, things escalated: officers used flash bangs, foam rounds and tear gas to push protesters from a federal building complex.
President Trump on Tuesday doubled the National Guard presence to 4,000 and deployed 700 active-duty Marines, a move that seemed to provoke the Democratic state. That evening, LA Mayor Karen Bass imposed a 20:00 – 06:00 curfew after more violence and vandalism erupted.
By Wednesday, the protests had entered their sixth straight day and spread nationwide from New York to Chicago, Atlanta to Denver, with more actions planned in Seattle, St. Louis, and San Antonio. California is suing the federal government over what it calls an unconstitutional power grab.
Critics say the deployment of active-duty troops on US soil is an unprecedented abuse of power. Trump has labelled the protesters “insurrectionists” and claims he’s acting to “liberate” LA.
This isn’t just about raids anymore. It’s about what kind of country America wants to be and whether a president can use the military to police its streets.
With a military parade planned in DC this weekend, the stage is set for more tension and possibly, more confrontation.
