What Happened in LA This Week
Picture this: You’re having coffee with your neighbor and they ask about all the chaos they saw on the news from Los Angeles. Here’s what actually went down.
On Friday, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents conducted raids across Los Angeles, arresting 118 illegal immigrants, including five gang members and those with criminal histories involving drug trafficking, assault, domestic violence, and child cruelty. The raids happened at clothing warehouses in the Fashion District and Home Depot parking lots where day laborers gather.
By Friday evening, over 1,000 protesters surrounded federal buildings in downtown LA.
ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons said :
“rioters attacked federal ICE and law enforcement officers on the LA streets” while being “vastly outnumbered.”
The situation got worse on Saturday when protests spread to Paramount and Compton, with demonstrators setting cars on fire and throwing rocks at Border Patrol vehicles.
Rioters in LA are pouring gasoline on vehicles and setting them on fire
LAPD Chief says these are “peaceful protests”
This is why President Trump is sending in the National Guardpic.twitter.com/3h7HOXVa1A
— DC_Draino (@DC_Draino) June 8, 2025
Trump’s Swift Response
President Trump didn’t wait around. On Saturday evening, he signed a presidential memorandum deploying 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles County “for 60 days or at the discretion of the Secretary of Defense.”
Trump posted on Truth Social:
“If Governor Gavin Newscum, of California, and Mayor Karen Bass, of Los Angeles, can’t do their jobs, which everyone knows they can’t, then the Federal Government will step in and solve the problem, RIOTS & LOOTERS, the way it should be solved!!!”
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth went even further, threatening to deploy active-duty Marines from Camp Pendleton if the violence continued.
If this isn’t an invasion, then idk what is..
— American AF (@iAnonPatriot) June 8, 2025
Why Mayor Bass’s Response Matters to Conservatives
This is where it gets interesting for those who believe in law and order. LA Mayor Karen Bass initially condemned the ICE operations themselves, not the violent protests.
Bass said:
“I am deeply angered by what has taken place. These tactics sow terror in our communities and disrupt basic principles of safety in our city. We will not stand for this.”
Only after ICE Director Lyons called her out did Bass change her tune.
She later said:
“Everyone has the right to peacefully protest, but let me be clear: violence and destruction are unacceptable, and those responsible will be held accountable.”
This flip-flop shows what happens when local politicians prioritize politics over public safety. It took federal pressure for Bass to even acknowledge that attacking federal agents is wrong.
ICE protesters are now starting fires all throughout LA..
Yikes! pic.twitter.com/4Iu15eXkCX
— American AF (@iAnonPatriot) June 8, 2025
The Numbers Don’t Lie
Let’s talk facts. This week’s ICE operations in LA resulted in 118 arrests, and nationwide, 2,000 illegal immigrants were arrested. Among those arrested were people convicted of serious crimes including murder, sexual assault, and gang activity.
The protesters weren’t just expressing their views peacefully. They damaged property, slashed tires, and spray-painted “F*** ICE” on news vehicles. One Border Patrol agent needed medical attention after being hit by a flying rock.
What Critics Are Saying
Governor Gavin Newsom called Trump’s National Guard deployment “purposefully inflammatory” and claimed it would “only escalate tensions.” He argued that local law enforcement could handle the situation without federal help.
Some legal experts worry about using military forces for civilian law enforcement, pointing to the Posse Comitatus Act. However, Trump used Title 10 authority, which provides legal justification for the deployment.
Liberal politicians and activist groups claim the ICE raids are targeting innocent families and creating fear in immigrant communities.
Why This Matters for Conservatives
This situation perfectly shows why limited government doesn’t mean weak government. The federal government has a constitutional duty to enforce immigration law and protect federal agents. When local authorities refuse to do their job or actively obstruct federal law enforcement, the feds must step in.
Think about it this way: If someone attacked your local police officers and your mayor said the police were the problem, wouldn’t you want the county sheriff to restore order? That’s exactly what’s happening here, just at a higher level.
The Constitution gives the federal government authority over immigration. Cities and states can’t just decide they don’t like federal law and encourage resistance to it. That’s not how our system works.
What Happens Next
National Guard troops began arriving in Los Angeles on Sunday morning, with members from the 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team being deployed. The deployment could last up to 60 days, depending on the security situation.
Border Czar Tom Homan has made it clear that more operations are coming. He told ABC News: “If you’re in the country illegally, you got a problem.” The administration wants to arrest 1,200 to 1,500 people per day nationwide.
We can expect more confrontations as ICE operations expand to other sanctuary cities. The question is whether local leaders will choose law and order or continue to enable lawlessness.
The LA protests show us what happens when local politicians put politics before public safety. It’s a reminder that sometimes the federal government must step in to do what local leaders won’t do – protect our communities and enforce our laws.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
