The conflict between California Governor Gavin Newsom and Donald Trump has intensified dramatically as tensions rise over recent ICE raids in Los Angeles. The LAPD has placed the City of Angels on tactical alert due to ongoing anti-deportation protests. In a blunt online statement, Governor Newsom expressed, “We didn’t have a problem until Trump got involved,” highlighting the contentious atmosphere in LA.
In a flurry of events on a tense Sunday in Los Angeles, both Governor Newsom and LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell are striving to reclaim control from Trump’s heavy-handed tactics. Newsom has gone as far as to label the President a “dictator,” emphasizing the need for local governance amidst escalating federal intervention.
Earlier today, Trump took to social media to declare that “a once great American City, Los Angeles, has been invaded and occupied by illegal aliens and criminals.” His inflammatory statements continue to stoke the fires of division, as he promised that “order will be restored” and “illegals will be expelled.”
This afternoon, an anti-ICE rally transitioned from City Hall to a nearby federal building, where over 100 detainees—many of whom are young children—have reportedly been held by masked agents in conditions described as deplorable. In response to the mounting protests, Chief McDonnell took action to separate demonstrators from the heavily armed National Guard and Homeland Security forces to prevent clashes.
Trump’s decision to deploy 2,000 National Guard troops to LA has raised serious legal questions. The Secretary of Defense has also placed Marines at Camp Pendleton on alert, reminiscent of the last major National Guard deployment in LA during the 1992 riots following the Rodney King verdict.
As tensions escalated, the LAPD announced around 2:30 p.m. PT that “The City of Los Angeles is on Tactical Alert.” This alert raises the possibility of increased use of force and keeps all officers on standby for immediate duty. Shortly thereafter, an unlawful assembly was declared to disperse protesters gathering around federal property, leading to the use of non-lethal measures like flash bangs and gas canisters to clear the area.
In downtown LA, the protests clogged local streets and the 101 freeway, prompting swift arrests of those closest to law enforcement lines. Although there were rumors of an impending curfew, sources indicated that such a measure was not currently being considered.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass condemned Trump’s actions, stating, “To have this here is really just a provocation and something that was not needed in our city.” She emphasized that the city is still recovering from its worst natural disaster in decades, and the current situation is further traumatizing residents, particularly within the predominantly Latino community.
Mayor Bass also noted that the primary role of the National Guard should be to protect federal property, not to patrol the streets of a sanctuary city or assist in anticipated ICE raids against undocumented residents.
In a pointed response, Governor Newsom accused Trump of attempting to “manufacture a crisis in LA County” and create chaos through the unwarranted deployment of troops. He formally requested that the Trump Administration rescind the deployment of National Guard troops in Los Angeles County, arguing that their presence is a serious breach of state sovereignty.
In his letter to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Newsom stated, “There is currently no need for the National Guard to be deployed in Los Angeles.” He emphasized that the proper procedures were not followed in the deployment and indicated that he would consider legal action in the coming days.
The situation in Los Angeles remains volatile as tensions between state and federal authorities continue to escalate. With Newsom’s strong condemnation of Trump’s actions and Mayor Bass’s advocacy for local control, the conflict over ICE raids and federal intervention highlights deep divisions within the state and the nation. As the community grapples with these issues, all eyes remain on LA as it navigates these unprecedented challenges.
