Protests Against Trump Administration Immigration Raids Intensify in Los Angeles. Governor Newsom labels Trump's policies "authoritarian" and accuses him of violating state sovereignty.
California Los Angeles Protest Violence: Protests in Los Angeles have turned violent following the Trump administration's crackdown on undocumented immigrants. Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom accused President Donald Trump of violating democratic rights and denounced the deployment of the National Guard as an infringement on state sovereignty.
Los Angeles Erupts in Anger Over Immigration Raids
Protests that began in Los Angeles on June 6th have escalated into violence. A large-scale operation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) resulted in the detention of 118 undocumented immigrants across the city. These raids, conducted in areas like the Fashion District and Compton, sparked fear and anger within Latino communities.
Thousands of protesters took to the streets, blocking the 101 Freeway, setting vehicles on fire, and attacking government buildings. Police responded with tear gas, rubber bullets, and flash-bang grenades.
Public Outrage Against Trump's Policies
President Donald Trump has long maintained a hardline stance against illegal immigration. His 2024 campaign promises included deporting 3,000 undocumented immigrants daily and completely closing the U.S.-Mexico border. The recent ICE operation is seen as a major step towards fulfilling these promises, but the ensuing violence in Los Angeles has significantly escalated the situation.
Governor Gavin Newsom's Sharp Criticism
California's Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom bly criticized President Trump's policies, stating, "Inciting violence, turning cities into military camps, and arresting opponents are the policies of dictators, not of democratic presidents."
Newsom asserted that local police could have managed the situation, but Trump escalated the chaos by creating a "spectacle." He described the deployment of the National Guard as a violation of state sovereignty and demanded its immediate withdrawal.
National Guard Deployment, Tensions Remain High
In response to the severity of the situation, President Trump ordered the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops to the Los Angeles area. Prior to this, ICE had arrested 44 immigrants from a single job site and 77 others from the greater LA area in one day. Protests began outside a federal building in downtown LA, believed to be holding the detainees, and subsequently intensified.
Trump's Social Media Counterattack
On Sunday, Trump referred to the protesters on social media as a "violent, insurrectionist mob," stating he was directing his cabinet to take "all necessary action to quell the riots." Speaking to reporters in New Jersey, he added, "If protesters spit on our police force or National Guard, we have to respond. They spit, we hit." This statement further fueled the controversy.
