The economic times are facing new tension as the Trump administration has deployed an additional 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles. This comes in response to widespread protests sparked by a controversial series of immigration raids by ICE. These new forces will join the 2,000 guardsmen already assigned to the region, alongside 700 Marines mobilized by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
This move has ignited strong political and legal backlash, with California leaders claiming the federal deployment violates state rights and inflames civil unrest.
ICE Raids and Protests Erupt Across Los Angeles
Over the weekend, ICE carried out aggressive immigration raids in neighborhoods including Santa Ana and East LA. Videos circulating online show federal agents chasing individuals and tackling them to the ground, often without identifying themselves.
The response was swift. Thousands took to the streets of Los Angeles on Sunday and Monday, protesting what they say are racial profiling tactics and mass detentions. Demonstrators clashed with federal agents and local police in downtown LA. Protesters lit vehicles on fire, looted several storefronts, and chanted slogans against what they called “state-sponsored terrorism.” At least 42 people were arrested.
In Santa Ana, federal officers reportedly used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse peaceful demonstrators. Congressman Lou Correa condemned what he called “profiling-based arrests” in his district.
Newsom and Local Leaders Slam Deployment as Illegal
California Governor Gavin Newsom criticized the Trump administration for escalating the crisis rather than calming tensions. He labeled the decision to send more National Guard troops as “reckless,” “pointless,” and possibly illegal, noting that he never authorized the deployment.
Earlier Monday, Newsom filed a lawsuit in federal court challenging the legality of the deployment, arguing that the president cannot federalize the National Guard for immigration enforcement without state consent. He warned that Trump is attempting to “operationalize” the Guard to aid in ICE operations—a move he calls unconstitutional.
Mayor Karen Bass of Los Angeles accused the administration of using the protests as a “test case” to expand presidential power, adding that the city’s residents are being treated as pawns in a political game.
Press and Civil Liberties Under Threat
Journalist safety has become another flashpoint in the conflict. The Los Angeles Press Club and Reporters Without Borders reported at least 27 attacks on journalists covering the protests. These include incidents where reporters were struck by rubber bullets, tear-gassed, or forcibly removed despite identifying themselves as press.
One notable incident involved an Australian journalist hit in the leg by a projectile while on live television. Advocacy groups have demanded federal accountability, claiming these are violations of press freedoms under the First Amendment.
Amnesty International also condemned the use of crowd control weapons, citing their long-term effects and potential to maim peaceful demonstrators.
Division Within the Democratic Party
While many Democratic lawmakers have condemned the Trump administration’s actions, some have taken a more moderate tone. Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania publicly denounced the violence during the protests, calling it “anarchy.”
“I unapologetically support peaceful protest and immigration rights,” he said, “but setting cars on fire and attacking officers is not acceptable.”
Fetterman’s comments highlight a growing divide within the Democratic Party between progressives defending direct action and centrists urging order and legislative channels.
DHS Threatens Harsher Action
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said on Fox News that ICE would “come after” protesters who engage in violence or disrupt federal operations. Critics argue this statement blurs the line between immigration enforcement and general law enforcement.
Activists fear that ICE’s expanded mandate could lead to sweeping arrests of U.S. citizens engaged in lawful protest. Legal scholars warn that combining military forces, immigration enforcement, and domestic surveillance creates a civil rights crisis.
Protests Expand Nationally
In response to the events in Los Angeles, solidarity protests have emerged across the country. In Colorado Springs, the Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression organized an “emergency protest” outside City Hall, demanding an end to immigration raids and federal military deployments in urban areas.
These satellite protests are drawing attention to similar ICE operations happening under the radar in cities like Phoenix, Houston, and Miami.
Technology and Business Impact
The economic ripple effects are being felt in the private sector. Waymo, a self-driving car company operating in Southern California, reported that five of its autonomous vehicles were vandalized during the LA protests. As a precaution, the company has suspended services in downtown LA and is considering pausing operations in other high-risk areas.
Other businesses are also reevaluating safety plans, with some boarding up locations and switching to remote operations until the unrest subsides.
Legal and Constitutional Questions
The central legal issue remains whether the federal government can deploy National Guard troops in a state without consent from its governor. Legal experts point to the Posse Comitatus Act, which limits the use of federal troops for domestic law enforcement, unless authorized by Congress or under very specific exceptions such as the Insurrection Act.
So far, the administration has not declared an insurrection or published any legal justification for bypassing state approval.
Governor Newsom’s lawsuit could become a landmark case, testing the boundaries of federal and state authority in modern America. A ruling in favor of California could prevent future deployments without state approval; a ruling for the federal government could significantly broaden presidential powers.
Conclusion
These economic times are not only defined by inflation, interest rates, and labor markets—but increasingly by the balance of civil liberties and state rights in the face of federal power. As military forces flood Los Angeles and protests continue to spread nationwide, America is entering a constitutional test that will shape the future of domestic governance, free speech, and immigration enforcement.
Whether seen as necessary action or authoritarian overreach, the events in Los Angeles represent a pivotal chapter in the nation’s political and legal history.
FAQ
What triggered the LA protests?
The protests began in response to ICE immigration raids carried out over the weekend in several neighborhoods, including Santa Ana and East LA.
How many troops have been deployed?
The Trump administration has deployed a total of 4,700 troops: 4,000 National Guard soldiers and 700 Marines.
Did the state approve the deployment?
No. Governor Newsom has filed a lawsuit arguing the deployment is illegal without state consent.
Were journalists harmed during the protests?
Yes. At least 27 journalists have reported being injured or targeted by law enforcement during protest coverage.
Are similar protests happening elsewhere?
Yes. Solidarity protests have occurred in cities like Colorado Springs, and more are expected nationwide.