Anti-immigration protests in Los Angeles have escalated into violent confrontations, with protesters clashing with authorities and damaging property. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) reported that rioters smashed windows at its headquarters on West 1st Street and faced tear gas as officials deployed to quell the unrest. These violent demonstrations, which spread through the city over the weekend, were a response to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids, prompting President Donald Trump to send 2,000 National Guard troops to the area. Despite the deployment, California’s Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the move, arguing that local law enforcement did not require federal assistance. Meanwhile, Republicans and some conservative figures defended the National Guard’s involvement, citing the need to restore order and prevent the repeat of past incidents like the 1992 Los Angeles riots. The protests also witnessed acts of vandalism, including the burning of the American flag and setting of vehicles on fire, further escalating tensions and drawing strong political reactions from both sides of the aisle.
Local authorities declared an