President Donald Trump said he has authorized officials to resolve “lawless riots” in Los Angeles amid the outbreak of violence between protesters and law enforcement on Sunday.
In a post to Truth Social, Trump wrote that Homeland Security
Kristi Noem
, Secretary of Defense
Pete Hegseth
, and Attorney General
Pam Bondi
have all been directed “to take all such action necessary to liberate Los Angeles from the Migrant Invasion, and put an end to these Migrant riots.”
“A once great American City, Los Angeles, has been invaded and occupied by Illegal Aliens and Criminals,” Trump wrote. “Now violent, insurrectionist mobs are swarming and attacking our Federal Agents to try and stop our deportation operations—But these lawless riots only strengthen our resolve. Order will be restored, the Illegals will be expelled, and Los Angeles will be set free. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
Trump also shared a post by Reuters showing a video of dozens of law enforcement officers in tactical gear at night opening up a garage gate and pointing weapons and shooting at protesters.
While it was not clear what the weapons were, they appeared to be non-lethal, as they were dispersed into the crowd and people went running.
Why It Matters
The Trump administration has pledged to carry out the largest mass deportation in U.S. history and has conducted numerous Immigration and Customs Enforcement (
ICE
) raids, some of which have swept up individuals with proper documentation.
President
Donald Trump
announced on Saturday evening that he had authorized the mobilization of 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles after reported violence against law enforcement, specifically, ICE agents carrying out deportation raids in the city.
While the raids are following legal directive from federal authorities, protests have erupted amid reports that detainees were being held in the basement of a federal building. ICE denied these allegations, with a spokesperson previously telling
SnapUpdateNow
the agency
“categorically refutes the assertions made by immigration activists in Los Angeles.”
The raids in
Paramount
, Los Angeles County, followed similar action in locations through other parts of the city on Friday, during which police arrested at least 44 people. Some protesters have thrown rocks at officers, with one allegedly throwing a Molotov cocktail, and burning items in the streets. Police responded with tear gas.
The clashes highlight deepening conflicts between sanctuary jurisdictions and federal immigration policy, as Trump has implemented sweeping changes through executive orders and utilized the wartime
Alien Enemies Act of 1798
to expand deportation authority.
What To Know
Despite California Governor
Gavin Newsom
‘s insistence not to, Trump deployed the National Guard to the Golden State. On Sunday, Newsom formally requested that they be pulled out, saying in part, “We didn’t have a problem until Trump got involved.”
The governor is joined by other leaders such as Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass who warned the deployment was “chaotic escalation.”
The deployment of the National Guard on civilians during protests has drawn criticism from some while also seeing support from others.
Multiple videos on social media have shown protesters clashing with law enforcement in various locations including
Paramount
on Saturday where people were seen throwing rocks and being hit by rubber bullets during an hours-long confrontation.
Early Sunday, Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) said there were three demonstrations that were peaceful.
Videos taken Sunday show large law enforcement and National Guard presence at multiple locations throughout the city.
By 3 p.m. local time, the LAPD said there were arrests being made following a dispersal order and an unlawful assembly being declared at one site.
The City of Los Angeles remains on tactical alert, according to the LAPD.
What People Are Saying
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass wrote on X, formerly Twitter, on Sunday
: “We will always protect the constitutional right for Angelenos to peacefully protest. However, violence, destruction and vandalism will not be tolerated in our City and those responsible will be held fully accountable.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom posted on X on Sunday
: “I have formally requested the Trump Administration rescind their unlawful deployment of troops in Los Angeles county and return them to my command. We didn’t have a problem until Trump got involved. This is a serious breach of state sovereignty—inflaming tensions while pulling resources from where they’re actually needed. Rescind the order. Return control to California.”
President Donald Trump on Truth Social wrote on Saturday
: “If Governor Gavin Newscum, of California, and Mayor
Karen Bass
, of Los Angeles, can’t do their jobs, which everyone knows they can’t, then the Federal Government will step in and solve the problem, RIOTS & LOOTERS, the way it should be solved!!!”
What Happens Next?
While it’s unclear how many people have been arrested during the protests, they will have to be processed through the legal system, meaning several first appearances could be occurring on Monday.
Update 6/8/25, 7:07 p.m. ET This story has been updated with additional information.
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