| Published June 10, 2025
Los Angeles became the epicenter of a nationwide flashpoint after federal authorities launched sweeping immigration raids across the city, igniting widespread protests. The events unfolded rapidly, drawing national attention as peaceful demonstrations turned chaotic and President Trump ordered military intervention to restore order.
What Sparked the Protests?
The unrest began after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), backed by federal law enforcement, executed high-profile raids targeting undocumented immigrants across greater Los Angeles. These operations, some of which occurred late at night, led to the arrest of dozens, including individuals with prior criminal charges. Footage circulated of aggressive tactics used in communities like Compton and Paramount, sparking public outrage.
The immigration raids were part of a broader federal crackdown described by officials as necessary for public safety. However, critics viewed them as overly harsh and disruptive, particularly in diverse communities with deep immigrant roots.
What Really Transpired: Evidence from Videos and Reports
Videos from news crews, livestreams, and independent journalists captured the complexity of the protests. Early footage showed large, calm crowds gathered in Boyle Heights and Mariachi Plaza, where protesters held signs, chanted slogans, and gave speeches without incident.
However, as night fell, the atmosphere shifted.
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Video verified by ABC7 and shared on social media showed protesters clashing with federal agents after tear gas was deployed to disperse crowds.
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Live drone footage documented pockets of unrest, including individuals setting fire to trash bins, tagging walls, and looting a liquor store in South LA.
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Protesters were seen throwing glass bottles and fireworks at law enforcement near the 110 Freeway, prompting armored federal vehicles to advance.
Still, several clips also showed protesters de-escalating violence and protecting local businesses. In one now-viral video, actor Aaron Fisher (initially misidentified as Wyatt Russell) calmly told federal agents, “You should be standing here with us.” Another showed musician Finneas, present at a march, being dispersed by tear gas despite reporting a peaceful environment.
The Washington Free Beacon reports:
Liberal pundits and politicians spent the weekend insisting that the anti-ICE riots across Los Angeles were peaceful, even as split-screen footage showed cars engulfed in flames.
“At this point, this has been very peaceful. It has been tense at some points, but we haven’t seen any violence happening here,”CNN correspondent Julia Vargas Jones said as the network showed rioters on motorbikes circling a car on fire in the middle of an intersection.
The media’s coverage varied widely:
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Conservative outlets emphasized the rioting and property damage.
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Left-leaning networks highlighted peaceful protests and criticized the federal response.
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Some anchors, such as ABC7’s Jory Rand, sparked controversy by appearing to downplay the violence, referring to rioters as “people having fun watching cars burn.”
The footage paints a divided picture: a largely peaceful daytime protest that devolved into scattered riots after dark—exacerbated by heavy-handed federal tactics and a tense political backdrop.
The Escalation in the Streets
What started as peaceful protests—featuring music, banners, and calls for unity—soon escalated into unrest. Demonstrators blocked major freeways, including I-10 and I-110. Some protesters confronted federal agents directly, leading to tense standoffs. Elsewhere, isolated rioters smashed storefront windows, set cars ablaze, and looted local businesses.
Federal officers responded with crowd control tactics, including tear gas, rubber bullets, and flashbang grenades. The deployment of militarized equipment contributed to a siege-like atmosphere in certain neighborhoods.
Why President Trump Sent the Military
As violence intensified, President Donald Trump ordered the deployment of 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 U.S. Marines to assist ICE, protect federal buildings, and quell unrest. The White House framed the move as a necessary response to “domestic terrorism” and claimed that local authorities had failed to maintain order.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated the mission would last 60 days. The deployment was authorized under expanded executive powers, sparking debates over federal authority and the Posse Comitatus Act, which limits the military’s role in civilian law enforcement.
Despite pushback from California’s governor and city leaders, the troops were deployed without state approval—further inflaming tensions and fueling protests.
Interviews with Participants
Angelica Quintero, a Santa Clarita resident, described bringing her younger sister to a downtown protest:
“To be here with people peacefully protesting—we did absolutely nothing. How are we the ones being treated like criminals?”
Gabby Buenrostro, who joined the march in Mariachi Plaza, questioned the federal response:
“Send in the National Guard—for what? We have a right to protest.”
Dr. Phil McGraw, who conducted interviews on-site, noted the overwhelming federal presence and described a visible “shift in energy” as troops rolled into immigrant communities.
In areas like Compton, locals like Ernest Melendrez led cleanup efforts the morning after the unrest. Amid the debris and shattered glass, neighbors gathered to sweep sidewalks, repair shopfronts, and distribute bottled water—quietly demonstrating resilience after a night of chaos.
🔎 Implications
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Federal vs. State Authority Reaffirmed
The deployment of military forces without California’s consent set a precedent, reinforcing federal power in situations framed as national security threats—even in defiance of local leadership. -
Shift in Protest Narrative Accountability
The blurred lines between peaceful assembly and criminal unrest have reignited calls for the media to distinguish clearly between protest and rioting. The willingness of some networks and public figures to minimize violence has deepened public skepticism of mainstream narratives. -
Validation of Strong Border Enforcement
For supporters of strict immigration policies, the raids and subsequent unrest underscored the consequences of sanctuary policies and the urgency of federal immigration enforcement. -
Erosion of Trust in Local Governance
The perception that LA city leaders were unable—or unwilling—to control the situation has implications for public confidence in local government during emergencies. -
Militarization of Civil Response Normalized
The visible use of Marines and tactical equipment on U.S. soil may shift expectations around what federal enforcement looks like during domestic incidents, potentially normalizing a more aggressive posture. -
Increased Political Polarization
The contrasting reactions to the protests—from celebratory defiance to condemnation of “domestic terror”—have only deepened the ideological divide between left-leaning urban centers and federal institutions under conservative leadership.
🧭 Overall Takeaway:
The Los Angeles protests of June 2025 were more than just a reaction to immigration raids—they became a national test of law, leadership, and media credibility. While citizens have every right to protest, the federal government has a duty to uphold order when local officials hesitate. In moments of crisis, clarity, courage, and constitutional backbone must prevail.
(Jim Vondruska/Getty Images)
SOURCES: THE GATEWAY PUNDIT – HERE WE GO AGAIN: Watch the Liberal Media and Democrats Repeatedly Refer to the LA Riots as ‘Peaceful Protests’ (VIDEO)
THE WASHIGHTON FREE BEACON – WATCH: Media Shrug Off LA Rioters as ‘Peaceful People’
THE NEW YORK POST – LA news anchor sparks fury for calling rioters ‘a bunch of people having fun watching cars burn’
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