Los Angeles protest live updates: Trump lashes out at protesters claims many of them are 'paid'

Trump hails troop deployment as California readies legal battle

US President Donald Trump declared on Thursday that Los Angeles remained "safe and sound" over the past two nights, attributing the safety to his deployment of thousands of troops to suppress anti-deportation protests. As California prepared for a legal confrontation over his unprecedented action, the second-largest city imposed a night-time curfew amid widespread protests across the United States. Authorities addressed instances of vandalism and looting that affected several city blocks.

"Our great National Guard, with a little help from the Marines, put the L.A. Police in a position to effectively do their job," Trump said on Truth Social, adding that without the military the city "would be a crime scene like we haven't seen in years."

California challenges Trump's use of military in Los Angeles

Opponents of President Donald Trump ’s administration are set to rally in hundreds of cities on Saturday during the military parade in Washington for the Army’s 250th anniversary - which coincides with Trump’s birthday - as protests grow in response to his immigration policies. The “No Kings” protests have been called, organizers say, to protect America's democracy as Trump vows to increase his deployment of military forces inside the United States.

MEA issues statement on Los Angeles protests, immigration crackdown

We are aware of the developments: India on protests, immigration crackdown by US administration in Los Angeles. We advise all Indian nationals in the region to take suitable precautions: MEA on Los Angeles protests, immigration crackdown, it said in a briefing.

Los Angeles Mayor slams immigration raids as 'political retribution'

Karen Bass, the Mayor of Los Angeles, strongly criticised recent immigration enforcement operations in the city, describing them as acts of "political retribution" whilst stating that intimidation tactics would not be tolerated against residents, according to The Hill.

"Los Angeles will not allow fear to be used as a weapon against Angelenos who make our city strong," Bass declared in her post on X.

She further stated, "My administration is working with community organisations, legal advocates, and local leaders to ensure that every resident knows their rights and has the support they need. This city stands united."

The Mayor characterised these operations as "political retribution" targeting inhabitants of the predominantly Democratic metropolitan area.

"This fear paralyses communities. We saw it before: kids too scared to go to school, families torn apart without warning. Let's not pretend this is about public safety. It's political retribution--plain and simple," she further remarked.

'Our city is not on fire': LA residents reject Trump rhetoric

Just blocks from where a handful of die-hard protesters faced police in Los Angeles on Wednesday, residents were enjoying lunch in the sun and shrugging off Donald Trump's claims their city was burning. Six days after unrest began -- prompting the US president to send soldiers into the streets, over the furious protests of local officials -- life in the City of Angels was going on largely as normal.

"Everything is hunky dory right here at Ground Zero," Lynn Sturgis, a retired teacher who was protesting outside the federal complex that has been at the heart of the demonstrations in Downtown Los Angeles, told AFP.

"Our city is not at all on fire, it's not burning down, as our terrible leader is trying to tell you."

LA protest live updates: 'They are probably paid many of them,' Donald Trump on LA protesters

US President Donald Trump says, "...I am very proud to have helped Los Angeles survive...We didn't do what we did, Los Angeles would be burning to the ground, and that's not over yet...These are radical left lunatics that you're dealing with. They are tough, smart. They are probably paid many of them..."

LA protest live updates: LA prosecutor to file criminal charges against protest disruptors

Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman expects to file dozens of criminal cases against individuals who disrupted peaceful protests. He outlined five recent cases, with charges including assault, grand theft, and felony vandalism. In one incident, suspects allegedly launched fireworks at police officers, while two others reportedly drove motorcycles into a police line.

Hochman stated that investigators are reviewing video footage from recent demonstrations that escalated into violence, with further charges expected. He emphasised that while peaceful protest is protected, those committing crimes are not exercising free speech but breaking the law. Meanwhile, in Chicago, 17 people were arrested during protests, with four facing felony charges, including aggravated battery against a peace officer. Most demonstrators remained peaceful.

LA protest live updates: Los Angeles police make hundreds of arrests during immigration protests

Since Saturday, the Los Angeles Police Department has made nearly 400 arrests linked to immigration protests. Most of these detentions were for refusing to leave protest areas despite police orders.

A small number faced more serious charges, including assaulting officers and possessing a Molotov cocktail or firearm. Nine officers sustained mostly minor injuries; some were treated in hospital and released. National Guard troops have temporarily detained civilians, swiftly handing them over to police.

LA protest live updates: National Guard troops temporarily have detained civilians in Los Angeles

Maj. Gen. Scott Sherman, commander of Task Force 51, stated that civilians were promptly handed over to law enforcement. He also noted that approximately 500 National Guard troops have been trained to support immigration agents during operations. Photos released by immigration officials show Guard members already assisting with security alongside agents. Task Force 51 is currently overseeing the deployment of more than 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines in Los Angeles to help maintain security during the ongoing protests.

LA protest live updates: ICE arrests Mexican immigrant for throwing Molotov cocktails at law enforcement

"On June 9, 2025, ICE agents in Los Angeles arrested Emiliano Garduno-Galvez—an illegal alien from Mexico—for attempted murder after he threw a Molotov cocktail at law enforcement during the Los Angeles riots. Garduno-Galvez had previously been deported. He has a previous criminal record: In 2024, Garduno-Galvez was arrested by the Anaheim Police Department for grand theft and by the Long Beach Police Department for a DUI. These are the types of criminal illegal aliens that rioters are fighting to protect,": US Department of Homeland Security

LA protest live updates: National Guard to be deployed in Texas, announces governor Abbott

"Texas National Guard will be deployed to locations across the state to ensure peace & order. Peaceful protest is legal. Harming a person or property is illegal & will lead to arrest. @TexasGuard will use every tool & strategy to help law enforcement maintain order," governor Greg Abbott wrote on X.

Abbott is a member of US President Donald Trump's Republican Party.

LA protests live: Trump praises himself for deploying National Guard

"If our troops didn’t go into Los Angeles, it would be burning to the ground right now, just like so much of their housing burned to the ground. The great people of Los Angeles are very lucky that I made the decision to go in and help!!!": Donald Trump on Truth Social

LA protests live: 700 US Marines to join National Guard troops

Hundreds of Marines were expected to take up positions in Los Angeles on Tuesday, joining National Guard troops there and sharpening an extraordinary confrontation between the White House and California leaders over the response to protests against the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.

The 700 Marines were being sent to protect federal law enforcement officers and property in greater Los Angeles, the US military’s Northern Command said in a statement.

LA protests live: 'Massive group of protests sprouted out of nowhere,' no presence of LAPD officers

Fox News correspondent Bill Melugin reported that a crowd of 400–500 protesters appeared suddenly in LA streets, with no visible LAPD presence in the area.

“This new, random, massive group of protesters just showed up here. Hundreds upon hundreds of them,” he said. “They've taken over the street … I don't see a single LAPD officer.”

LA protest live: 'Anti-police surveillance activist’ shot for pressing an LAPD officer for his badge number

An 'anti-police surveillance activist' was shot Monday point-blank in the groin with a 40mm crowd control munition after repeatedly asking an LAPD officer for their badge number.

LA protest live: Police enforce curfew, arrest protesters after mayor Karen Bass declared local emergency on fifth day of protests

• Los Angeles police swiftly enforced a downtown curfew Tuesday night, arresting protesters shortly after it took effect.

• Officers on horseback and crowd-control projectiles were used to disperse hundreds rallying against US President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown.

• The National Guard was present but did not take part in arrests. Authorities said the curfew aimed to prevent vandalism and looting. While many protesters later dispersed, smaller confrontations continued into the night.

LA protest live: US attorney general Pam Bondi says rock thrower identified by FBI, now on 'most wanted list'

Attorney general Pam Bondi announced that the individual involved in rock-throwing during recent unrest in Los Angeles has been identified by the FBI and is now on the “most wanted” list. A search warrant is currently being executed at his residence as part of the investigation.

“That guy has just been identified and they are doing a search warrant on his house as we speak,” she said. “He is going to be on the most wanted list.”

LA protest live: Rep LaMonica McIver indicted for assaulting federal officers, faces up to 17 years in prison

• US Representative LaMonica McIver has been indicted on three federal charges for allegedly assaulting federal law enforcement officers. Announced by US attorney Alina Habba on X, the charges carry a combined maximum sentence of 17 years.

• Habba emphasised the importance of protecting law enforcement during duty, warning that protest cannot cross into endangerment.

• “As I have stated in the past, it is my Constitutional obligation as the Chief Federal Law Enforcement Officer for New Jersey to ensure that our federal partners are protected when executing their duties. While people are free to express their views for or against particular policies, they must not do so in a manner that endangers law enforcement and the communities those officers serve, ” said Habba.

LA protest live: Newsom issues emotional plea to Californians, calls for peaceful resistance to Trump

LA protest live: Vivek Ramaswamy compares Gavin Newsom to former Alabama governer George Wallace in immigration clash; 'same playbook all over again'

Vivek Ramaswamy criticised California governor Gavin Newsom on X, comparing him to former Alabama governor George Wallace.

He drew parallels between Wallace’s fight to preserve segregation and Newsom’s defense of sanctuary cities, accusing Newsom of blocking federal immigration operations, including ICE vans.

"George Wallace wanted segregated cities; Gavin Newsom now wants for sanctuary cities. George Wallace blocked school doors; Gavin Newsom blocks ICE vans."

He concluded by predicting that Newsom’s political trajectory would ultimately mirror Wallace’s, 'in the dustbins of history.'

LA curfew live: Mayor imposes downtown curfew after surge in nighttime violence and looting

Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass declared a local emergency and imposed a curfew in a 1-square-mile section of downtown LA following a spike in vandalism and looting tied to ongoing protests against US President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement.

The curfew, in effect from 8 pm Tuesday to 6 am Wednesday, comes after 23 businesses were looted. Bass announced the decision during a press conference, saying, “We reached a tipping point.”

The curfew area includes protest hotspots active since Friday, though it covers only a small portion of the city’s 500 square miles.

LA protest live: Newsom blasts Trump’s troop deployment, calls it ‘assault on democracy’

Los Angeles protest live: Newsom blasts Trump’s troop deployment, calls it ‘assault on democracy’


California governor Gavin Newsom sharply criticised Trump’s deployment of nearly 5,000 troops to Los Angeles, calling it a “military dragnet” and warning that “democracy is under assault.”

In a public address on Tuesday, Newsom condemned the use of Marines and National Guard forces, initially sent to protect federal buildings, who are now assisting immigration agents with arrests.


He said the crackdown has expanded far beyond targeting criminals, with workers like dishwashers, gardeners, day laborers, and seamstresses among those being detained.

LA protest live: Federal judge denies restraining order on Trump’s military deployment in California

A federal judge in San Francisco rejected California's request to immediately block US President Donald Trump’s use of Marines and National Guard troops in immigration enforcement operations.

Senior US district judge Charles R Breyer declined to issue an emergency order and instead scheduled a hearing for Thursday at 1.30 pm to review the state's request for a temporary restraining order.

The judge said both sides must submit further arguments before a decision is made. The justice department called California’s motion “legally meritless,” arguing it would endanger homeland security personnel and hinder federal operations.

LA protest live: Mexico’s flag becomes powerful symbol during protests, Trump administration says sign of ‘foreign invasion’

The Mexican flag emerged as a powerful symbol, and point of controversy, during immigration protests in Los Angeles. While demonstrators waved it with pride to express cultural heritage and solidarity, the Trump administration framed its presence as a sign of a "foreign invasion."

Protests have continued for five days, mostly peaceful, though some isolated clashes with police have occurred. Striking images of protesters holding Mexican flags under smoke-filled skies have amplified tensions, even as much of the city remains business as usual.

LA protest live: Masked looters ransack Apple store during nighttime violence

Chaos erupted Monday night when masked individuals looted an Apple store. A viral video circulating on social media shows several people breaking into the store and grabbing gadgets before fleeing. Many were seen rushing out of the store as police arrived. Read full story