Chaos erupts in Los Angeles as Newsom, Bass remain defiant

By 
 updated on June 9, 2025

Los Angeles streets burned as President Trump’s National Guard deployment sparked outrage. On Saturday, Trump ordered 2,000 California National Guard members to the city to quell protests against his immigration enforcement, citing federal authority to suppress rebellion, as USA Today reports . Conservatives applaud the move, arguing that law and order must prevail over progressive pandering.

Trump’s directive followed ICE operations that started on June 6 and resulted in the arrest of 44 individuals for immigration violations, including convicted criminals, while protests erupted, blocking freeways and torching vehicles. The National Guard, with 300 soldiers at three L.A. area sites, aims to protect federal property for 60 days. Critics like Democrat Gov. Gavin Newsom cry foul, but supporters see it as a necessary stand against chaos.

Protests turned violent on June 7 and 8, with demonstrators spraying graffiti and setting Waymo vehicles ablaze, forcing the company to halt service over toxic battery risks. “This is not about protecting communities,” Amnesty International’s Paul O’Brien whined, accusing Trump of stifling dissent. His complaint ignores the Molotov cocktails and injured officers, revealing a blind spot for lawlessness.

Escalating tensions mark continued clashes

On June 8, the LAPD declared the downtown L.A. protest an unlawful assembly, using tear gas and batons to disperse crowds. At least 10 arrests were made, including one for throwing a Molotov cocktail and another for striking officers with a motorcycle. The left’s “peaceful protest” narrative crumbles when rioters target police and public safety.

Protesters blocked the 101 Freeway on Sunday, building barriers and hurling objects at officers from an overpass. LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell noted, “We must respond firmly” to violence. His measured approach contrasts with the progressive tantrum over federal intervention.

Newsom, in a weekend MSNBC interview, called the deployment “unconstitutional” and vowed to sue Trump over the issue Monday. “These are the acts of a dictator,” he thundered. Yet, his lawsuit seems more about grandstanding than addressing the vandalism and violence plaguing LA.

State vs. federal power struggle

Newsom’s social media rants escalated, daring Trump border czar Tom Homan to arrest him for opposing the deployment. Homan, unfazed, warned that interfering with immigration enforcement is a felony. Newsom’s defiance plays well with the woke crowd but risks undermining federal law.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass echoed Newsom, labeling the deployment a “dangerous escalation” at a weekend news conference. “You cause fear and panic,” she accused Trump, sidestepping the chaos her city’s protests unleashed. Her selective outrage ignores the need for order amid freeway blockades and fires.

Twenty-two Democrat governors joined the chorus, calling the deployment an “alarming abuse of power." Their joint statement decried federal overreach yet failed to address the burned vehicles or injured officers. This unified front reeks of political posturing, not solutions.

Federal resolve strengthens

Trump, undeterred, told reporters on Sunday, “We’re not going to let this happen to our country.” His administration, backed by DHS, justified ICE arrests by highlighting criminals among the detained. The left’s sympathy for lawbreakers over citizens fuels the case for stronger enforcement.

FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino vowed on Saturday to pursue violent protesters, warning, “We will not forget.” His promise of accountability counters the progressive push to excuse vandalism as “expression.” Law enforcement deserves support, not vilification, in these turbulent times.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth placed 500 Marines on standby at Twentynine Palms, with Camp Pendleton forces on high alert, signaling federal readiness for an additional response. Unlike past Guard deployments in 1992 and 2020, which were requested by state officials, this move bypasses California’s consent. Newsom’s “sovereignty” argument falters against federal authority to protect national interests.

Local, union fallout ensues

SEIU California president David Huerta was detained by ICE on June 6 while observing enforcement actions, with a Monday arraignment scheduled. Sen. Chuck Schumer called the arrest a “disturbing pattern” of targeting free speech, but Huerta’s detention underscores the risks of interfering with federal operations. Emotional appeals don’t erase legal boundaries.

LAPD, on tactical alert Sunday, clarified that it was not involved in ICE operations and didn’t request the Guard's presence, per McDonnell. “We have a heavier deployment than usual,” he admitted, navigating the federal-state clash. His focus on public safety contrasts with Newsom’s and Bass’s political brinkmanship.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger urged peaceful protests on Saturday, attempting to condemn violence. Her balanced stance exposes the hypocrisy of leaders who fuel unrest while decrying its consequences. Restoring order, not fanning flames, should guide California’s response.

About Alex Tanzer

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