LA Under Curfew as Troops Deployed Amid US Protests
Tensions Rise as U.S. Cities Brace for Fresh Protests Amid Immigration Crackdown
Cities across the United States were on high alert Wednesday as President Donald Trump’s hardline immigration policies continued to trigger widespread protests and civil unrest, particularly in Los Angeles, which has now imposed a strict curfew following five consecutive nights of turmoil.
What began as protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids has rapidly evolved into a broader national reckoning over civil liberties, federal overreach, and the militarization of domestic law enforcement.
In Los Angeles, initially peaceful daytime demonstrations have repeatedly descended into chaotic nighttime confrontations, prompting more than 4,000 National Guard troops and hundreds of U.S. Marines to be deployed to the streets.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott also ordered troop mobilization in anticipation of similar protests in Austin, where demonstrators have already clashed with police. Abbott warned that acts of violence would be met with immediate arrests.
The deployment of federal forces by the Trump administration has drawn sharp criticism from state and local officials.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass argued that federal involvement was unnecessary, asserting that the city was equipped to manage the protests on its own.
She noted that the majority of demonstrations remained peaceful but acknowledged that ongoing incidents of looting and vandalism had forced her to impose a curfew over a one-square-mile section of downtown LA.
Despite the curfew, protestors defied orders to disperse, leading to what law enforcement described as “mass arrests” — with at least 197 people detained on Tuesday alone.
California Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the federal response, calling it “deliberately inflammatory” and accusing President Trump of escalating tensions for political gain.
The state has filed legal challenges against the deployment of federal troops, arguing that it represents a dangerous and unconstitutional overreach of executive power.
Trump, in turn, lashed out at Newsom, suggesting he should be arrested for obstructing federal authority — deepening the rift between the White House and California’s leadership.
Meanwhile, U.S. Marines stationed in Seal Beach await further orders. The Pentagon insists their role is limited to protecting federal infrastructure, but civil rights organizations are raising alarms about the implications for constitutional freedoms.
Speaking to troops at Fort Bragg, President Trump defended his actions, portraying the unrest as a national security threat.
“What you’re witnessing in California is a full-blown assault on peace, public order, and national sovereignty, carried out by rioters bearing foreign flags,” he said, vowing to “liberate Los Angeles.”
His remarks ignited a fresh wave of criticism from Democrats and civil liberties groups, who accused the administration of using military force to suppress dissent.
As ICE enforcement intensifies — with reports of up to 2,000 daily detentions — images of troops supporting immigration agents during raids have sparked further outrage and galvanized protests nationwide.
Demonstrations have now spread to major cities including New York, Chicago, and Atlanta.
In Chicago, protesters climbed the iconic Picasso statue in Daley Plaza in defiance of authorities, chanting for the abolition of ICE and an end to militarized enforcement.
With tensions mounting and a political standoff deepening, the nation braces for what could become a prolonged summer of protest and unrest.
LA Under Curfew as Troops Deployed Amid US Protests