What started as local anger over immigration raids in L.A. turned into something much bigger—and way messier. By mid-June 2025, the streets weren’t just filled with protesters. They were filled with troops. And Donald Trump was right in the middle of it all.
ICE Raids Spark Chaos—and a National Flashpoint
It kicked off with aggressive ICE arrests across Los Angeles. People flooded the streets. Protesters blocked traffic. Cops used tear gas. Cars burned. It was tense—but it was local. That didn’t last.
On June 8, without any request from California leaders, Trump used federal power to take control of the state’s National Guard. He sent in 2,000 troops. Just like that. Governor Gavin Newsom called it a “gross abuse of power.” Trump? He said California was out of control and needed “real leadership.”
More Troops, More Outrage
As protests continued, Trump sent even more: another 2,000 National Guard and 700 U.S. Marines into L.A., Compton, and nearby cities. Armed soldiers started showing up in neighborhoods. Military vehicles rolled through the streets.
Local leaders were livid. Mayor Karen Bass declared curfews but slammed the federal presence. Civil rights groups said this wasn’t about public safety—it was political theater. Trump, they argued, was using California as a backdrop for his campaign.
Newsom Sues, Streets Lock Down
Governor Newsom didn’t just fume—he sued. The lawsuit argued that Trump’s takeover of the National Guard broke the law and trampled on state rights. Meanwhile, the city felt more like a military zone: roadblocks, security checks, and over 850 arrests.
The cost of the operation? Already over $130 million—and climbing.
Trump’s Playbook: Confront, Control, Capture the Spotlight
Trump leaned into the chaos. His team called the protests proof that the border crisis had spilled into America’s cities. He blamed Democrats for the violence, praised the troops, and made it all part of his political pitch.
Supporters saw strength. Critics saw a dangerous stunt—an ex-president using military force to flex power in a state that didn’t want it.
