Dozens of anti-ICE protesters have been arrested in Los Angeles following violent clashes that resulted in multiple charges, including assault on police and attempted murder. The unrest, which escalated over the weekend, saw the deployment of the National Guard as President Donald Trump intervened to quell the riots. Federal agents’ raids in the garment district sparked outrage, leading to widespread demonstrations that turned volatile. Law enforcement agencies, including the LAPD and California Highway Patrol, arrested over 40 individuals, with some charges including arson and assault with a deadly weapon. The protests, which were initially peaceful, spiraled into chaos as demonstrators set self-driving cars on fire and blocked major highways, prompting authorities to use smoke canisters and crowd-control munitions.
Trump’s decision to send in the National Guard has drawn criticism from Democratic officials, including California Governor Gavin Newsom, who accused him of threatening democratic principles. Newsom, a Democrat, criticized Trump’s intervention as an overreach, calling it ‘authoritarian tendencies’ and vowing to sue the administration. The situation remains tense as authorities work to restore order and address the growing unrest.