Los Angeles erupts as President Trump bypasses state authority to deploy National Guard troops, triggering mass protests, fiery clashes, and a battle over sovereignty. Governor Newsom denounces the move as unconstitutional.
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“This Is Not Law — This Is Force”: Los Angeles Erupts as Trump Unilaterally Deploys National Guard
By: Jenna Caldwell | June 9, 2025 | The Western Dispatch
Los Angeles, CA — What began as a wave of resistance to aggressive immigration raids spiraled into a citywide conflagration on Sunday, as President Donald J. Trump bypassed California state authority and deployed 2,000 National Guard troops into Los Angeles. The unprecedented action has ignited a volatile confrontation between the federal government and California’s leadership, leaving streets burning, rights in question, and a nation stunned.
From downtown LA’s federal complex to the roaring gridlock of the 101 freeway, thousands of demonstrators clashed with riot police and military personnel, pushing the city to the brink of martial lockdown. Governor Gavin Newsom, flanked by state legal advisors, called it a “hostile federal incursion,” marking the deepest constitutional crisis California has faced since the Vietnam War era.
LA in Turmoil: National Guard Deployment Sparks Constitutional Crisis and Street Uprising
Scene of Unrest: LA's Streets Become a Battleground
By late afternoon, the scent of smoke and tear gas had saturated downtown. Protesters, some masked and others waving placards denouncing authoritarianism, converged near the Metropolitan Detention Center. There, camouflaged Guard members stood behind steel barriers, armed with riot shields and loaded rifles. Chants of “Whose streets? Our streets!” echoed against the marble walls of federal buildings.
“They’re not protecting us. They’re occupying us,” said Leticia Alvarez, a 34-year-old organizer from Echo Park. “We’re here because Trump declared war on his own people.”
Multiple skirmishes broke out as law enforcement deployed rubber bullets and flashbangs to disperse crowds. Helicopters buzzed above, broadcasting dispersal orders that were ignored by thousands.
Waymo Cars in Flames: Technology Meets Protest Fury
The night’s most searing image came around 8:15 p.m., when a convoy of self-driving Waymo vehicles—previously rerouted due to downtown protests—was overrun and set ablaze. At least four cars burst into flames within minutes, sending black plumes into the LA skyline.
Tech workers watching the protests unfold live online were horrified. “It’s surreal to see smart mobility turned into battlefield collateral,” said Ayan Patel, a robotics engineer. “The symbolism won’t be lost on anyone.”
Freeway Shutdown: Protesters Block the 101
In a tactic that mirrored movements in Minneapolis and Portland, protesters spilled onto the 101 freeway, halting traffic for over two hours. Debris, homemade signs, and scattered firecrackers littered the asphalt as LAPD officers took cover beneath overpasses.
Emergency responders struggled to navigate blocked routes, and several ambulances were diverted. No fatalities were reported, but dozens were injured in the ensuing clashes.
Federal vs State: Newsom Condemns “Constitutional Vandalism”
Governor Newsom, who had previously urged restraint amid growing unrest, took to the podium at the Capitol at 10 p.m. and directly accused President Trump of breaching state sovereignty.
“This is constitutional vandalism,” Newsom declared. “Deploying troops without state consultation is not leadership—it’s provocation.”
Legal scholars agree that Trump's action raises serious constitutional red flags. “The federal government’s ability to use troops domestically is tightly restricted by the Posse Comitatus Act,” said Professor Diane Wu of Stanford Law. “What’s happening in LA may test the limits of executive power.”
Trump Doubles Down: “We Will Not Allow Chaos”
Unfazed, Trump continued to champion his law-and-order agenda. Speaking from a security conference in Florida, he told reporters, “We’re going to have troops everywhere. These are not peaceful protests.”
Earlier, on Truth Social, Trump posted:
“ARREST them. Don’t wait. Face masks, Molotovs — same thing.”
The White House also announced that additional Guard units are “on standby” for deployment in San Francisco, Chicago, and Seattle—cities already bracing for spillover unrest.
ICE Raids Continue Amid Legal Chaos
Over the weekend, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement confirmed more than 100 arrests, including some green card holders and DACA recipients. Civil liberties groups warn that indiscriminate enforcement is leading to unlawful detentions.
The ACLU filed an emergency motion Sunday night seeking a temporary halt to federal immigration actions in California, citing unlawful surveillance and denial of legal counsel.
Democratic Coalition Slams “Power Grab”
A bipartisan group of 17 Democratic governors released a joint statement calling the Los Angeles deployment “an alarming abuse of federal power.” Mayor Karen Bass echoed the sentiment, stating, “This isn’t a crackdown on crime — this is a crackdown on democracy.”
Some Republicans distanced themselves as well. “The optics are troubling,” said Sen. Lisa Murkowski. “We must not sacrifice constitutional norms for short-term optics.”
From Raids to Revolution: How We Got Here
This weekend’s unrest didn’t begin with troops or traffic blockades. It began with fear. In the weeks leading up to this moment, ICE agents ramped up controversial “silent raids” in immigrant-heavy neighborhoods across LA County—detaining individuals during school pickups, church services, and even hospital visits.
Social media amplified firsthand accounts, and grassroots coalitions rapidly organized flash protests. But it was the sight of federal forces landing in LA—without a word to the state—that lit the fuse.
Conclusion: The Fault Line Has Shifted
Los Angeles has often been a bellwether for America’s cultural and political shifts. But this time, it’s become the battleground for the very question of federalism.
Is this a flashpoint or a fracture? That depends on the days to come. For now, the tear gas has settled, but the questions have not.
Who gets to govern California — Sacramento or Washington?
And at what point does peacekeeping become power play?
