Los Angeles erupted into tension starting June 6, 2025, when aggressive ICE raids hit multiple locations—Home Depot, clothing warehouses, and more—detaining over 44 individuals, many from immigrant communities. The crackdown instantly sparked protests that escalated quickly. By June 7, the Trump administration federalized the California National Guard, deploying 2,000 troops (eventually boosted to 4,000 with Marines) to suppress the crowds. Federal and state tensions reached boiling point as Governor Newsom sued for control under the 10th Amendment.

Protesters responded with fiery resistance—barricades, throwing concrete, and civil unrest. Authorities fired tear gas, flash-bangs, and non‑lethal rounds, even targeting journalists, injuring at least 6 and damaging the press’s trust  . The city’s streets felt like a battlefield.

This standoff ignited national debate: Is federal military power the answer or a dangerous overreach? With 411 arrests, rising injuries, and a city under tactical alert, Los Angeles is at the center of a flashpoint over immigration, civil rights, and executive authority. Commentary is pouring in, likening it to past domestic military deployments.

As unrest continues, the nation watches—this could define federal‑state relations and movements for the next four years.