Tensions escalated in Los Angeles on Sunday, June 8, 2025, as thousands of protesters demonstrated against President Donald Trump’s extraordinary deployment of the National Guard. Protesters blocked a major freeway and set fire to self-driving cars while law enforcement responded with tear gas, rubber bullets, and flashbangs to manage the situation. The protests were a reaction to Trump's immigration policies and the arrival of around 300 federal troops in the city.
In downtown Los Angeles, police patrolled on horseback and maintained a presence in riot gear behind National Guard troops stationed to protect federal facilities, including a detention center housing immigrants detained in recent days. As the situation developed, the police declared an unlawful assembly. Though many demonstrators dispersed by early evening, a core group formed makeshift barriers using chairs and repeatedly clashed with law enforcement, throwing debris and other objects at officers who took cover under an overpass.
The protests occurred on the third day of demonstrations against Trump's immigration crackdown, centered around federal actions that stirred fear and anger among local residents. Many of the protests began on Friday and spread to nearby cities, including Paramount and Compton, where federal agents were reported to have arrested over 100 immigrants within a week.
Starting early in the day, National Guard troops equipped with long guns and riot shields assembled outside the Metropolitan Detention Center. As tensions escalated, protesters shouted insults and demanded that the guards leave. When demonstrators attempted to approach the troops, police fired smoke bombs into the crowd to disperse them. This rapid escalation led to protesters blocking traffic on the 101 freeway, which resulted in state patrol officers clearing the road by late afternoon.
At least four Waymo self-driving cars were set on fire near the demonstration site, producing substantial plumes of black smoke and creating explosions as the electric vehicles burned. By evening, police issued an unlawful assembly order, leading to the shutdown of several downtown Los Angeles blocks, while the sounds of flashbangs could be heard intermittently as law enforcement attempted to regain control of the area.
In response to the unrest, California Governor Gavin Newsom requested Trump to withdraw the National Guard, claiming their deployment was a serious infringement on state sovereignty. Mayor Karen Bass supported Newsom's sentiments, asserting that the chaos in Los Angeles was provoked by the administration's actions and not a matter of public safety.
Trump's administration, however, rebuked these claims. White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson characterized Newsom's remarks as a "bald-faced lie," asserting that the situation in Los Angeles worsened only after Trump's involvement. The deployment of National Guard troops marked a rare instance in decades where troops were activated without a governor's request, exceeding past incidents such as the Watts riots or the Rodney King protests.
Trump invoked a legal provision to deploy federal service members, citing the need for "very strong law and order" in Los Angeles. He stated that he had authorized the deployment of 2,000 National Guard members to tackle the "violent people" in the city. While addressing reporters, Trump emphasized the need to prevent further chaos in the nation.
Additionally, former Vice President Kamala Harris voiced her opposition to the immigration arrests and the National Guard's presence, describing it as a strategic move aimed at instilling fear and division among communities. She expressed support for those protesting against the administration’s policies, highlighting the importance of defending fundamental rights and freedoms.
