Violent clashes between anti-ICE protesters and law enforcement have erupted across California, prompting President Trump to demand immediate action against masked demonstrators. The unrest began over the weekend in Los Angeles and has since spread to San Francisco.
According to the New York Post, Trump took to Truth Social with forceful demands: "ARREST THE PEOPLE IN FACE MASKS, NOW!" and "Looking really bad in L.A. BRING IN THE TROOPS!!!" The president's statements came after signing a presidential memorandum to deploy 2,000 California National Guard troops to Los Angeles.
The confrontations began Saturday near a Home Depot in the predominantly Latino city of Paramount when protesters started hurling rocks and cement at Border Patrol vehicles following ICE enforcement operations. Federal agents responded with tear gas, flash bang explosives, and pepper balls in attempts to control the situation.
By Sunday, the protests had intensified, with approximately 2,000 demonstrators taking over a major highway in downtown Los Angeles. Rioters set self-driving cars ablaze and launched fireworks at police officers in chaotic scenes that overwhelmed local law enforcement.
The LAPD chief admitted his officers were "overwhelmed" by the violence and vandalism after three consecutive days of demonstrations. Trump referenced this in another social media post, writing that Chief Jim McDonnell had stated protesters were becoming "very much more aggressive" and that he would "have to reassess the situation" regarding military deployment.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has threatened further military intervention, warning that "if violence continues, active-duty Marines at Camp Pendleton will also be mobilized — they are on high alert." The Department of Defense indicated it had 500 Marines ready to deploy if the unrest persists.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has pushed back against the president's actions, calling the decision to deploy National Guard troops "purposefully inflammatory" and vowing legal action against the administration.
Newsom later urged protesters to remain peaceful, suggesting the federal government wanted to provoke a spectacle. This stance has intensified the already contentious relationship between California's state leadership and the Trump administration regarding immigration enforcement policies.
Trump responded by criticizing both Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, threatening that "if Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass couldn't do their jobs then the Federal Government will step in and solve the problem, RIOTS & LOOTERS, the way it should be solved!!!"
The demonstrations have now reached San Francisco, where protesters have damaged buildings and violently clashed with riot police. San Francisco Police reported that two officers were injured during confrontations in the city's financial district.
San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie addressed the situation on social media, emphasizing his commitment to public safety while acknowledging the right to peaceful protest. "Everyone in this country has a right to make their voice heard peacefully, and local law enforcement will always protect that right and the rights of everyone in our city to be safe," he stated.
Lurie confirmed approximately 60 arrests had been made in San Francisco and condemned the violence, saying, "We will never tolerate violent and destructive behavior, and as crowds dwindled, a group that remained caused injuries to police officers, vandalized Muni vehicles and broke windows of local businesses."
The protests have heightened tensions between federal and state authorities as immigration enforcement remains a divisive political issue during Trump's presidency. The violent demonstrations represent one of the most significant challenges to his administration's immigration policies.
The confrontations in Los Angeles have resulted in property damage, including burned vehicles, vandalized businesses, and disrupted transportation. Images from the scene show protesters waving Mexican flags amid smoke and flames from burning cars, including autonomous Waymo vehicles that were targeted and set ablaze.
As the situation develops, Trump continues to pressure local officials to accept federal intervention. The president's demands for arrests of masked protesters and deployment of military forces underscores his administration's hardline approach to immigration enforcement and civil unrest.
