LOS ANGELES (2025) — On Tuesday, uncertainty enveloped the city as Mayor Karen Bass instituted a curfew in a designated area to combat ongoing vandalism that has left many local business owners and residents feeling vulnerable.
City officials reported that after peaceful protests concluded, opportunists had taken to vandalizing storefronts and looting businesses, exacerbating tensions within the community.
As protests against recent immigration raids have unfolded, questions arose concerning the involvement of Marines and National Guard troops deployed by President Donald Trump. The arrival of 700 Marines in the Los Angeles area was not aimed at quelling the protests but rather at safeguarding federal officials and property, according to the Marine Corps commandant.
California Governor Gavin Newsom, who opposed Trump’s troop deployment—approximately 4,000 National Guard members—sought an emergency motion in federal court to restrict their use in immigration enforcement actions. Newsom’s legal request was a direct response to a shift in orders regarding the deployment of the Guard, signaling an unusual circumstance where a state’s National Guard was activated without the governor’s request.
Trump claimed via social media that the city would have faced severe chaos without the National Guard’s intervention, despite the fact that their arrival occurred after the initial unrest.
Mayor Bass Critiques Federal Intervention
Mayor Bass attributed the unrest primarily to the Trump administration, asserting that there was "nothing going on here that warranted federal intervention." She expressed confusion over the Marines’ purpose, stating at a news conference, “People have asked me what the Marines are going to do when they get here? That’s a good question. I have no idea.”
Bass criticized Trump’s assertion that the National Guard played a key role in reducing violence, emphasizing that their initial deployment was not immediate and that local law enforcement was responsible for maintaining order. She also remarked that the estimated $134 million needed for troop deployment could have been better utilized to prepare for the upcoming summer World Cup.
Newsom’s Response to Federal Actions
In a public address, Governor Newsom characterized Trump’s troop deployment as an “assault” on democracy. He warned, “California may be first, but it clearly will not end here. Other states are next. Democracy is next.” Earlier in the day, he filed for an emergency court order to prevent the Guard and Marines from assisting with immigration raids.
Protests continued to unfold throughout the country in response to aggressive immigration enforcement, though none matched the scale witnessed in Los Angeles. Demonstrations against Trump’s policies have sprung up in cities like Boston, Seattle, and Austin, showcasing a growing national discontent regarding immigration actions.
Atmosphere in Downtown LA
On Tuesday morning, downtown Los Angeles was notably calmer, with the presence of Guard members outweighing that of protesters. Military personnel were stationed outside the Metropolitan Detention Center, primarily equipped for security rather than crowd control. Limited signs of unrest remained, including graffiti reflecting anger towards federal immigration policies.
A few dozen protesters gathered peacefully, only to be declared an unlawful assembly by police, leading to several arrests. The mayor’s curfew, effective from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. in a one-square-mile section of downtown, allowed exemptions for certain groups, including residents and journalists.
The protests, initially sparked by aggressive immigration raids, have continued to spread beyond Los Angeles, provoking rallies and increasing tensions in major cities across the United States.
The growing dissatisfaction surrounding immigration enforcement policies, specifically those enacted by the Trump administration, reflects wider societal conflicts and has prompted numerous protests nationwide.