Breaking News: California Gripped by Protests Over Trump’s Immigration Crackdown and Troop Deployment
California Trump Protests Breif Overview
California is in the midst of significant unrest as protests erupt across the state, with Los Angeles at the epicenter, in response to President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement actions and the controversial deployment of federal troops. Beginning on June 6, 2025, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids targeting workplaces in Los Angeles sparked widespread demonstrations. The situation escalated when Trump federalized the California National Guard and deployed Marines to the city, prompting accusations of federal overreach from state leaders. As of June 10, 2025, the protests continue, marked by clashes, arrests, and a deepening divide between state and federal authorities. This report provides a comprehensive overview of the events, key figures, official responses, and ongoing developments for a WordPress audience.
Timeline of Events
The following timeline outlines the key events leading to the current situation:
- June 6, 2025: ICE conducts raids in Los Angeles, targeting locations such as the Fashion District, a clothing wholesaler, and a Home Depot. Over 100 individuals are arrested for alleged immigration violations, prompting immediate protests (Wikipedia). Demonstrators gather to oppose what they view as aggressive and unjust immigration enforcement.
- June 7, 2025: Protests spread to other areas, including Paramount and Compton, where clashes occur between protesters and law enforcement. President Trump federalizes the California National Guard, deploying an initial 300 guard members to Los Angeles, against the wishes of Governor Gavin Newsom (Al Jazeera).
- June 8–9, 2025: The protests intensify, with thousands taking to the streets in Los Angeles, Santa Ana, and San Francisco. The Pentagon activates 700 Marines to deploy to Los Angeles, and an additional 2,000 National Guard troops are authorized, bringing the total to potentially 4,000 (The New York Times). Clashes result in arrests and the use of tear gas and rubber bullets by security forces (BBC).
- June 10, 2025: Protests remain active, with ongoing tensions due to the presence of federal troops. Governor Newsom announces California’s intent to sue the Trump administration, calling the troop deployment illegal (Gavin Newsom’s X post). Nationwide demonstrations emerge in solidarity with union leader David Huerta, arrested during the protests (The Independent).
Key Figures and Statements
The protests have drawn significant attention from political leaders, with starkly opposing viewpoints:
- Governor Gavin Newsom: Newsom has been vocal in his opposition, stating, “The illegal order he signed could allow him to send the military into ANY STATE HE WISHES. Every governor—red or blue—should be outraged” (Gavin Newsom’s X post). He has accused Trump of manufacturing a crisis for political gain and formally requested the withdrawal of troops, citing a breach of state sovereignty (The Washington Post).
- Mayor Karen Bass: Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has criticized the federal response, saying, “What we’re seeing in Los Angeles is chaos that is provoked by the administration. This is about another agenda, this isn’t about public safety” (PBS News). She has emphasized the capability of local police to manage the situation without federal intervention.
- President Donald Trump: While direct quotes are limited, Trump has reportedly justified the deployment as necessary due to state leaders’ failure to control protests targeting immigration agents (PBS News). His administration has labeled the protests as “lawless” and blamed local Democrats for the unrest (Reuters).
- Vice President JD Vance: Vance has supported the federal response, stating, “This administration will not be intimidated by lawlessness,” while highlighting the role of federal agents and troops in restoring order (The Independent).
Incidents and Clashes
The protests have been marked by several notable incidents across California:
- Los Angeles:
- Approximately 150 protesters have been arrested since June 6, with clashes reported outside the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building, which houses an immigration detention center (The New York Times).
- Security forces have used tear gas, rubber bullets, and stun grenades to disperse crowds (Al Jazeera).
- Five Waymo robot taxis were set on fire, reflecting the intensity of the unrest (The New York Times).
- Santa Ana:
- A peaceful protest turned violent, with demonstrators throwing rocks, bottles, and fireworks at law enforcement, who responded with tear gas, pepper balls, and rubber bullets (The New York Times).
- San Francisco:
- A large but calmer protest in the Mission district saw 154 arrests from clashes the previous night. Demonstrators marched against ICE and in solidarity with Los Angeles protesters (The New York Times).
- Nationwide Solidarity:
- Union leader David Huerta was arrested during the Los Angeles protests and released on a $50,000 bond, prompting demonstrations across the country in support of his cause (The New York Times).
Legal and Political Ramifications
California’s planned lawsuit against the Trump administration is a central development. The state argues that the federalization of the National Guard without the governor’s consent violates the U.S. Constitution, specifically the 10th Amendment, which protects states’ rights (BBC). Newsom has described the deployment as “unconstitutional” and “immoral,” emphasizing that local law enforcement was managing the situation before federal intervention (The Washington Post).
The deployment itself was enacted under a rarely used federal law, invoked by Trump to argue that the protests constituted a “rebellion” against federal authority. This marks the first such activation without a governor’s request since 1965, adding to the controversy (BBC).
Protest Details by Location
The following table summarizes the protests across key California locations as of June 10, 2025:
| Location | Details | Numbers | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | Protesters clashed with police, fewer clashes than Sunday, National Guard and Marines deployed, Waymo taxis burned | 150 arrests since June 6, 4,000 National Guard, 700 Marines, 5 Waymo taxis burned | The New York Times, Gavin Newsom’s X post |
| Santa Ana | Peaceful protest turned violent, protesters threw rocks and bottles, met with tear gas and rubber bullets | Not specified | The New York Times |
| San Francisco | Calmer protest in Mission district, marching against ICE, previous night’s clashes led to arrests | 154 arrests from Sunday night | The New York Times |
Social Media Perspectives
X posts provide insight into public sentiment:
- An X post by @ThadhaniManish_ on June 9, 2025, claimed “tens of thousands” protested peacefully in Los Angeles, highlighting their First Amendment rights (ThadhaniManish_’s X post).
- Conversely, @RockyResistor on June 8 suggested only 300–400 protesters were active, with the LAPD in control, indicating varying reports on scale (RockyResistor’s X post).
- @euronews reported thousands protesting Trump’s immigration crackdown and troop deployment, aligning with major news outlets (euronews’ X post).
These posts reflect the polarized views, with some emphasizing peaceful resistance and others questioning the protests’ scale or motives.
Current Status and Outlook
As of 2:52 PM IST on June 10, 2025, the protests in California show no signs of abating. The presence of federal troops continues
