LOS ANGELES, June 10 – The atmosphere in Los Angeles grew more volatile Tuesday as hundreds of U.S. Marines arrived under President Donald Trump’s directive, marking a significant escalation in response to widespread protests triggered by federal immigration raids. The show of force has sparked political backlash and inflamed tensions, prompting California Governor Gavin Newsom to issue a dire warning that “democracy is under assault.”
This latest move by the Trump administration follows several days of unrest across the city and other major urban centers. The protests, initially sparked by intensified immigration enforcement operations, have grown into broader demonstrations condemning what many see as an excessive and politically motivated use of military and federal power.
Show of Force and Rising Unrest
While city officials stressed that protests remained confined to a limited area of downtown Los Angeles, violent clashes and looting forced Mayor Karen Bass to declare a curfew spanning a square mile of the city’s core. The curfew, in effect from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., was a response to a spike in violence that saw 23 businesses ransacked the night before.
Law enforcement reported that 197 individuals were arrested on Tuesday alone, more than doubling previous arrest figures. Police stated that despite curfew orders, numerous protest groups remained in the streets late into the night, prompting what authorities described as “mass arrests.” Demonstrators, many carrying flags from Mexico and other nations, rallied in support of immigrant families caught in recent federal raids.
The Department of Homeland Security revealed that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents had recently averaged over 2,000 arrests per day—far surpassing previous numbers—after Trump renewed his commitment to mass deportations. The raids sparked widespread anxiety and led to a wave of community mobilization across the country, prompting protests in cities like New York, Atlanta, and Chicago in support of those impacted.
In Los Angeles, the protest sites remained charged with emotion and defiance. As the curfew approached, hundreds of demonstrators stood with hands raised, chanting “peaceful protest” in the face of a heavy police presence. City officials and community leaders repeatedly drew a distinction between peaceful demonstrators and those responsible for acts of violence.
Councilmember Ysabel Jurado highlighted a growing concern that criminal elements were exploiting the protests for personal gain. “When these peaceful rallies end, and the protesters head home, another element moves in: opportunists who come under the cover of protest to ravage and destroy,” she said during a press briefing.
Political Tensions and Legal Battles
Governor Newsom, in a recorded statement, condemned the deployment of federal troops as an illegal and reckless misuse of military resources. “He again chose escalation. He chose more force. “He prioritized showmanship instead of focusing on the safety of the public,” Newsom stated. “Democracy is under assault.”
Newsom, who is widely believed to be preparing for a potential 2028 presidential run, has filed a legal challenge against the federal government, seeking to block further deployment of troops within the state. His administration argues that the president’s actions violate constitutional limits on federal authority over states and their citizens.
In response, President Trump accused Newsom of obstructing federal efforts to secure the nation, stating during a speech at Fort Bragg, “What you’re witnessing in California is a direct attack on peace, civil stability, and the nation’s sovereignty.”
He portrayed the protests as being driven by “rioters bearing foreign flags” and suggested the situation in California resembled an “invasion.” Trump vowed that his administration would “liberate Los Angeles” and uphold national security.
Meanwhile, the U.S. military presence in the region continues to grow. Around 700 Marines are currently stationed in Seal Beach, just 30 miles south of downtown Los Angeles, awaiting deployment. Joining them are around 2,100 National Guard members, making up over half of the 4,000 troops expected to be deployed in the region.
Though the military personnel are not authorized to conduct arrests, their official role includes securing federal buildings and safeguarding government personnel. However, California Attorney General Rob Bonta voiced concern that such activities could blur legal boundaries. “Protecting personnel likely means accompanying ICE agents into communities and neighborhoods,” Bonta said, cautioning that this could violate the Posse Comitatus Act, an 1878 law restricting military involvement in civilian law enforcement.
Photos released on social media by ICE showed National Guard members accompanying officers during immigration raids, reinforcing concerns that the military may be inching closer to direct enforcement roles.
Protesters outside the Metropolitan Detention Center—where many detained immigrants are held—have been forcibly dispersed by police each evening. This ongoing standoff has become symbolic of the broader conflict between the state and the federal government.
In Chicago, demonstrators climbed public landmarks while chanting slogans demanding the abolition of ICE. In New York, Atlanta, and elsewhere, similar protests have led to tense stand-offs with local authorities.
For many like Christina Berger, a 39-year-old mother and teacher, the issue cuts deep. “I just want to give some hope to my friends and neighbors. Families are living in fear every day,” she said, wiping away tears.