2,000 National Guard Troops Deployed to Los Angeles as Immigration Raid Protests Intensify
The Trump administration announced the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles following a second consecutive day of protests, where demonstrators clashed with immigration agents conducting raids on local businesses. The decision represents a significant escalation in the administration’s efforts to crack down on illegal immigration and has raised concerns among some California official
The National Guard has previously been deployed to Los Angeles, but only in response to large-scale civil unrest—such as the 2020 protests sparked by the murder of George Floyd and the 1992 riots following the Rodney King verdict.
In contrast, the recent immigration-related clashes in L.A. have been more limited in scope, occurring in specific locations like a Home Depot in Paramount, a site in the city’s fashion district, and near the Civic Center.
Jessica Levinson, a law professor at Loyola Law School, pointed out that past National Guard deployments to L.A. were initiated at the request of California officials and involved coordinated responses, highlighting a key difference from the current federal move.
June 7, 2025
Legal experts and officials have expressed concern over the Trump administration’s decision to deploy 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles. “This is very troubling,” said Jessica Levinson, a law professor at Loyola Law School. “Such deployments usually occur under extreme circumstances. Here, it appears to be an early and aggressive response, likely intended to send a message to protesters about the federal government’s readiness to use force to quell dissent.”
While Los Angeles has a history of National Guard deployments—such as during the 1992 Rodney King riots and the 2020 George Floyd protests—those instances were at the request of state authorities and involved coordinated responses. The current deployment marks a stark contrast, coming amid isolated but intensifying protests over federal immigration raids.
The most serious clash so far occurred Saturday near a Home Depot at 6400 Alondra Blvd. in Paramount. What began as a peaceful demonstration—with chants of “ICE go home” and “No justice, no peace”—escalated into a chaotic confrontation. Protesters shouted at deputies, prompting law enforcement to deploy flash-bang grenades. Witnesses described federal agents firing multiple rounds of flash-bangs and pepper balls into the crowd.
In response, some protesters threw rocks and debris at ICE vehicles. One individual drove a car toward deputies, triggering another round of flash-bang deployment. However, many demonstrators did not participate in these actions.
By 4 p.m., authorities declared the gathering an unlawful assembly, issuing dispersal orders in both English and Spanish. At least one protester and one federal agent were injured, according to reports.
Later that evening, around 100 protesters regrouped near the 710 Freeway and Atlantic Avenue. Some threw bottles and rocks at sheriff’s deputies, and at one point, a car was set ablaze. Deputies responded with pepper spray canisters and additional dispersal orders.
The L.A. County Sheriff’s Department later released a statement indicating they were preparing for “long-term civil unrest” and coordinating efforts with other law enforcement agencies. By 8 p.m., two people had been arrested for allegedly assaulting officers—one for reportedly throwing a Molotov cocktail, which caused minor injuries to three deputies.
Separately, U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli stated on X (formerly Twitter) that federal agents had arrested more than a dozen individuals for obstructing law enforcement activities. “We will continue to arrest anyone who interferes with federal law enforcement,” he said.
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