Tensions in Los Angeles escalated on Sunday as protests intensified over federal immigration raids, prompting law enforcement to deploy tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse demonstrators. The unrest began on Friday in downtown LA and spread to Latino-majority areas like Paramount and Compton by Saturday. By Sunday midday, hundreds gathered outside the Metropolitan Detention Centre, where detainees from the raids were being held. Protesters chanted “shame” and “go home” at National Guard troops stationed with long guns and riot shields. 

The demonstrations were sparked by sweeping federal immigration raids that began late Friday. Crowds also gathered outside the federal building and in Paramount, where raids reportedly continued near a Home Depot. Tensions rose when some protesters threw objects at officers, prompting the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) to declare an unlawful assembly. Riot police responded with tear gas, flash-bang grenades, and crowd-control munitions. Protesters later moved to block the 101 freeway.

Immigration advocates, who have been organizing regular peaceful protests downtown, had planned another demonstration for Sunday afternoon. However, the arrival of about 300 federal troops further inflamed public anger and fear, leading to clashes with authorities. 

Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the deployment of the National Guard in Los Angeles, calling it a “serious breach of state sovereignty” in a letter to Trump. He argued that the presence of the National Guard was inflaming tensions and accused the federal government of “sowing chaos” to justify escalation. 

Trump defended the decision, claiming the National Guard was needed because Democratic leaders had failed to control the protests against immigration agents. On Saturday, he invoked a legal provision permitting federal troop deployment in response to “rebellion or threat of rebellion.” 

Trump ordered US Northern Command to take control of the Guard and dispatch 2,000 soldiers to the LA area for 60 days or until the Defence Secretary decides otherwise. This marked a rare instance of federalizing a state’s Guard without the governor’s consent.