Law vs. Lawlessness: Inside L.A.'s Explosive Weekend of Unrest
A weekend of escalating unrest in Los Angeles followed a series of federal immigration enforcement operations, with violent protests, National Guard deployments, and fierce backlash from California's top officials.
Here's a breakdown of what happened — and what it means moving forward.
On Friday, June 6, ICE agents executed search warrants at multiple locations across Los Angeles, including a clothing warehouse in the Fashion District.
The arrests were part of a broader immigration enforcement operation targeting criminal illegal aliens — including individuals with prior convictions for robbery, drug trafficking, gang activity, and crimes against children.
Protesters quickly mobilized outside a federal building in downtown L.A., where rumors circulated that detainees were being held in the basement.
Demonstrators attempted to block agents from leaving the scene. According to Homeland Security, rocks were thrown at federal vehicles and officers were attacked.
On June 7, violent demonstrations erupted in the cities of Paramount and Compton, with protesters surrounding ICE agents, vandalizing vehicles, and setting at least one car on fire.
A news crew SUV was destroyed, and law enforcement was pelted with rocks and debris.
In response, President Donald Trump signed a invoking Title 10 authority, ordering 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles County for up to 60 days.
The decision bypassed Gov. Gavin Newsom, marking a rare federal move to override state authority.
Trump posted on Truth Social:
By Sunday, National Guard troops were already on the ground in Los Angeles, positioned at federal buildings to prevent further violence.
ICE confirmed that 118 individuals were arrested in total during the operations. Of those, 44 were arrested Friday, and at least five had ties to criminal organizations.
Eight U.S. citizens were arrested in Paramount for impeding immigration officers. Two juveniles were released, while others face federal charges.
Among those arrested: David Huerta, president of SEIU California, who allegedly blocked agents from serving a warrant. Gov. Newsom defended him, calling Huerta a 'patriot.'
ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons criticized the delayed response from the LAPD:
'It took over two hours… despite being called multiple times.'
Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem said the Trump administration is determined not to allow a repeat of the 2020 riots:
'We will continue to enforce the law. If you lay a hand on a law enforcement officer, you will be prosecuted.'
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that Marines from Camp Pendleton are on standby if the violence continues.
Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a stern warning to demonstrators:
'This is not about immigration. This is about law and order — and no one is above the law.'
Gov. Newsom called the federal deployment a 'serious breach of state sovereignty' and demanded it be rescinded.
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass promised support for immigrants, telling them the city was 'fighting for you.'
LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell announced that his department would not participate in any 'mass deportations,' triggering backlash from Trump allies.
Former VP Kamala Harris and Rep. Maxine Waters condemned the federal actions, accusing Trump of using immigration enforcement for political gain.
ICE operations are expected to continue daily for the next 30 days in Los Angeles County, according to federal officials.
National Guard troops will remain deployed to protect federal property and assist DHS, not serve as local law enforcement.
The White House says the federal government will intervene as needed:
'We're not gonna let our country be torn apart like it was under Biden and his autopen,' Trump said Sunday.
What began as a lawful effort to remove criminal illegal aliens from the streets of Los Angeles quickly spiraled into violent unrest. Federal agents were attacked, police were slow to respond, and state leaders chose political grandstanding over public safety. Now, with National Guard troops deployed and daily ICE operations ongoing, the next few weeks will determine whether Los Angeles can restore order — or double down on chaos.
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