Downtown Los Angeles descended into chaos as violent anti-ICE protests escalated, fueled by recent immigration enforcement actions. Among the most striking moments was the arrest of a masked protester on stilts waving a Guatemalan flag, tackled and dragged away by LAPD officers as fires raged and objects were hurled at police.
Protesters vandalized vehicles, smashed windows, and set autonomous taxis ablaze while clashing with authorities. LAPD declared unlawful assemblies and deployed flash-bangs, tear gas, and rubber bullets in an attempt to disperse the crowds.
President Trump responded swiftly, mobilizing 2,000 National Guard troops and dispatching 700 Marines to the city. The decision triggered backlash from California leaders, including Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who labeled the deployment unconstitutional and initiated legal challenges.
Nationwide, more than 200 arrests have been reported as the protests spread to cities like San Francisco. Federal officials signaled that criminal charges would follow for those involved in acts of violence, while local communities remain divided over the demonstrations and the government’s response.