LA Erupts: Trump Sends Troops as Protests Turn Violent

The streets of downtown Los Angeles have become a battleground, as protests against immigration raids escalated into a chaotic scene of burning cars, tear gas, and a tense standoff between protesters and federal troops.

It all started on Friday, when Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers conducted raids across the city, sparking outrage and igniting demonstrations outside the Federal Building. The situation quickly spiraled out of control, with clashes between protesters and law enforcement becoming increasingly violent.

President Trump, seemingly fueled by the unrest, declared the situation an “unlawful assembly” and ordered the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops, despite California Governor Gavin Newsom’s strong objections. Newsom, along with Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, had initially maintained that local police could handle the situation, but Trump ignored their pleas, citing a specific provision in the US Code of Armed Services.

As the National Guard arrived, tensions reached a boiling point. Protesters, many waving Mexican flags or holding signs denouncing federal immigration authorities, clashed with police, who responded with tear gas, rubber bullets, and flash bangs. The violence escalated further when a row of self-driving cars were vandalized and set ablaze, and several patrol vehicles blocking a highway were damaged by protesters.

The chaos continued throughout the night, with reports of looting, fires, and widespread destruction. The LAPD reported making 27 arrests, adding to the 29 made the previous day.

The situation in Los Angeles has raised serious concerns about the use of federal troops to quell protests, with many critics accusing Trump of deliberately escalating the situation. Jose Barrera, the national vice president of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), called the deployment of troops a “dangerous precedent” and accused the White House of seeking to “create civic unrest.”

The question now is: will the arrival of the National Guard help to restore order, or will it only further inflame the situation? The answer to this question remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the streets of Los Angeles are a volatile mix of anger, fear, and uncertainty.