LA protests flare after ICE raids; Marines deployed downtown, Maxine Waters demands halt

Los Angeles has become the epicenter of nationwide unrest after a series of aggressive immigration raids by federal agents triggered days of protests, street clashes, and an unprecedented military response. The situation escalated rapidly when President Donald Trump ordered the deployment of National Guard troops and Marines to the city, defying objections from Mayor Karen Bass and Governor Gavin Newsom, who both denounced the move as an abuse of presidential power.

Protests began last Friday when ICE agents conducted coordinated sweeps at businesses across downtown LA, including a high-profile raid at a Home Depot in Westlake. The operations sparked immediate backlash, with crowds gathering in the Fashion District and outside federal buildings. Demonstrators called for an end to immigration raids, holding signs like “ICE out of LA!” and confronting law enforcement with chants and, at times, projectiles.

By Saturday, the protests had intensified, with some participants blocking the 101 Freeway, setting vehicles—including several self-driving Waymo cars—ablaze, and engaging in violent clashes with police. Law enforcement responded with less-lethal ammunition, tear gas, and mass arrests. At least 56 people were detained over the weekend, with charges ranging from failure to disperse to attempted murder with a Molotov cocktail.

President Trump defended the military deployment, insisting that LA was “under siege” and that the National Guard and Marines were necessary to restore order. His administration’s stance drew sharp criticism from state and city leaders, who accused the White House of inflaming tensions and undermining local authority. California has since filed a federal lawsuit seeking to block the use of military forces for domestic law enforcement, citing the Posse Comitatus Act, which restricts such deployments.

Rep. Maxine Waters, a longtime critic of federal immigration enforcement, has called for an immediate halt to the raids and denounced the militarization of LA streets. “Our community is under attack and is being terrorized,” said Angelica Salas of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, echoing the concerns of many local leaders.

As protests continue in downtown LA and spread to other cities, the standoff between federal and local authorities shows no sign of resolution. The number of people detained by ICE remains unclear, fueling further anxiety in immigrant communities and raising questions about the future of federal intervention in American cities.