Protests against hardline immigration tactics erupted across the United States, following days of demonstrations in Los Angeles. California has prepared for a legal showdown over President Donald Trump’s military deployment on Thursday.
In Los Angeles, over 1,000 people gathered peacefully for the sixth consecutive day of protests. The crowd marched through the streets, expressing their discontent with the current administration’s policies.
Curfews and Vandalism in Los Angeles
City leaders imposed a second night of curfew to address after-dark vandalism and looting. These incidents scarred several city blocks in the sprawling 500-square-mile metropolis.
“I would say for the most part everything is hunky dory right here at Ground Zero,” said protester Lynn Sturgis, 66, a retired school teacher. “Our city is not at all on fire; it’s not burning down, as our terrible leader is trying to tell you.”
The mostly peaceful protests ignited due to a sudden escalation in efforts to apprehend undocumented migrants. Although pockets of violence occurred, including burning self-driving taxis and hurling stones at police, the Los Angeles Police Department managed the situation effectively.
In Spokane, Washington, police declared a night curfew after arresting over 30 protesters. Police Chief Kevin Hall reported that officers fired pepper balls to disperse crowds during the unrest.
Trump’s Military Deployment and Political Maneuvering
Trump won the election last year partly by promising to combat what he claims is an “invasion” of undocumented migrants. He now seizes the opportunity to gain political capital by ordering the California National Guard’s deployment. This marks the first time a U.S. president has taken such action in decades, despite Governor Gavin Newsom’s objections.
“We’re going to have a safe country,” Trump told reporters while attending a performance of “Les Miserables” in Washington. “We’re not going to have what would have happened in Los Angeles. Remember, if I wasn’t there… Los Angeles would have been burning to the ground.”
Around 1,000 of the 4,700 troops deployed actively guard facilities and work alongside ICE agents. Scott Sherman, Deputy Commanding General Army North, leads these operations. The remaining troops, including 700 active-duty Marines, undergo training to handle civil disturbances.
Financial Implications and Political Tensions
The Pentagon announced that the deployment will cost taxpayers $134 million. Governor Newsom, a Democrat eyeing a potential 2028 presidential run, accused Trump of escalating the confrontation for political gain. He warned that this unprecedented militarization could extend beyond California’s borders, claiming “democracy is under assault right before our eyes.”
On Thursday, California lawyers sought a court order to block troops from accompanying immigration officers during arrests. Trump administration lawyers dismissed this application as a “crass political stunt.”
Unyielding Protesters Across the Country
Despite Trump’s threats to deploy the National Guard to other Democratic-run states, protesters remained undeterred, with demonstrations occurred in St. Louis, Raleigh, Manhattan, Indianapolis, and Denver.
In San Antonio, hundreds marched and chanted near city hall, where Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott deployed the state’s National Guard. A nationwide “No Kings” movement is planned for Saturday, coinciding with Trump’s unusual military parade in the U.S. capital.
The Trump administration portrays the protests as a violent threat to the nation, justifying military support for immigration agents and police. However, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass argued that Washington manufactured the crisis.
“A week ago, everything was peaceful in the city of Los Angeles,” she told reporters. “Things began to be difficult on Friday when raids took place… that is the cause of the problems. This was provoked by the White House.”
