Rioters unleashed chaos in LA County over ICE
Violence and turmoil exploded in southern California after the federal government descended upon
It’s been two days of madness erupting in the streets of California. Anti-ICE protests once again turned violent as rioters destroyed property, set fires, launched fireworks, and attacked law enforcement. “Gestapo”, “Abolish ICE”, “Trump’s America,” and many other relevant topics trended on 𝕏.
Several ICE raids were conducted in downtown Los Angeles and LA’s Westlake District on Friday. In response, community organizations gathered roughly 500 people for protests before marching through the streets around a federal detention facility just east of 1st Street. The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) conducted a rally as protestors held pro-immigration signs.
The crowd reportedly swelled to over 1,000 people. It didn’t take long before things got out of control. Rioters began brawling with ICE agents.
Other rioters put up makeshift blockades, clogging the streets. Some of them pelted police with rocks and other projectiles.
Car tires were slashed, and surfaces were tagged with anti-government sentiments. Activist vandals took the opportunity to paint an inverted red triangle, a Palestinian symbol, and label Israel’s military as the “IOF (Israeli Occupation Force).”
Live heli-cam caught motorcycle-riding rioters riding circles around a burning car parked in the middle of an intersection in Paramount. One of them waved a Mexican flag as he did it.
Federal agents threw tear gas and flash bangs. Some shot rubber bullets and pepper balls at people. LAPD declared the event an unlawful assembly by 7 PM. They set up a skirmish line in downtown LA to keep people away from the federal building.
A KCAL News ground reporter choked on tear gas as the mayhem continued well into the night. There were even reports of looting.
CHP & the LA Sheriff’s Department provided backup. The LA Sheriff said 2 people were arrested for assault on officers during California unrest, according to Fox News.
Los Angeles City Council Member Eunisses Hernandez (D) called for escalation against ICE. Chaiya Raichik (Libs of TikTok) and others publicly called for her arrest.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt excoriated left-wing radicals responsible for the violence. She called out the Democrats for going soft on them.
Border Czar Tom Homan told Fox News that the National Guard would be deployed. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem called out the anti-politician & anti-ICE rhetoric, urging it to end.
DHS’s statement criticized the LAPD, saying, “It took the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) 2 hours to respond.” Along with LA Mayor Bass, the agency aimed at Democrat politicians like Tim Walz and Hakeem Jeffries.
Mayor Karen Bass’s official statement was quoted by FBI Director Patel.
A few hours later, she posted another statement to explain that she was in contact with federal officials and working with law enforcement. Bass condemned the violence and destruction.
President Trump took control of the California National Guard. Trump went to UFC 316 after greenlighting the 2,000-soldier deployment in California. SecDef Pete Hegseth said, “And, if violence continues, active duty Marines at Camp Pendleton will also be mobilized — they are on high alert.”
— Special Assistant to the President and Communications Advisor Margo Martin
The Trump administration’s decision and warnings angered California Governor Newsom. He lashed out against the feds on 𝕏. He accused them of sowing chaos and pushed back on Hegseth.
Newsom’s spokesperson told CBS News that Newsom spoke with Trump for about 40 minutes.
The president took to Truth Social to thank the National Guard. He also ripped into Newsom and Bass while tearing into the radical left. Trump announced that “MASKS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED to be worn at protests.”
Updated on 6/8/25
The chaos continues, as we enter day 3 of the LA ICE riots. Things have heated up. Multiple Waymo self-driving cars were set on fire, while rioters shut down a portion of the 101 Highway.
The National Guard is on the ground helping CHP, LAPD, ICE, the US Marshals, and the LA Sheriff’s Department. 500 Marines are still on standby, triggering demonstrations outside the base. Reports suggest that drones are surveilling the area.
Rioters cornered the LAPD under an overpass. They pelted the cops with projectiles.
Credit: Cam Higby
A rioter even threw a Molotov cocktail at the police. It set a cop car on fire, requiring the use of a fire extinguisher.
Credit: Anthony Cabassa
Governor Newsom once again directly challenged the Trump administration. He sent a letter to Pete Hegseth, calling the troop deployment “unlawful.”
Moreover, in an MSNBC exclusive, Newsom called the situation a “manufactured crisis” and goaded Tom Homan into slapping cuffs on him.
“Come after me. Arrest me. Let’s just get it over with, tough guy."
“So, Tom, arrest me. Let’s go.”
Updated on 6/10/25
California is suing the Trump administration, according to AG Bonta. They blame Trump’s decision to seize the California National Guard. Trump said that if he were Tom Homan, he’d arrest Newsom.
In 1992, President George W. Bush activated the National Guard, Army, & Marines. They stopped violent rioters from wreaking havoc on Los Angeles during the 1992 L.A. riots.
DAY 4 of the LA ICE riots. Trump has upped the stakes. He doubled the number of activated National Guardmen, from 2,000 to 4,000, according to the Pentagon. Trump increased the number of activated Marines going to LA from 500 to 700. 2/7 came down from 29 Palms, while about 1,700 National Guardmen hang out in the greater LA area.
“No Kings” was trending on 𝕏. No Kings is a nationwide coordinated event scheduled for Saturday, the 14th. Millions are expected to demonstrate. People, especially on the right, are increasingly aware of the gravity of the situation.
Updated on 6/11/25
On day 5 of rioting, Mayor Bass placed a curfew on downtown LA from 8 to 6 because of the rioting and looting. Rioters tried to close off the 101 again, but police kicked them off the highway.
Credit: Julio Rosas
The LAPD brought buses into downtown Los Angeles. Rioters who refused to leave after the curfew were eventually arrested.
Stay tuned for any updates to this ongoing story.
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