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Federal immigration raids in Los Angeles have triggered a growing crisis, with the recent deployment of the National Guard drawing fierce backlash from local leaders and residents. For a third straight night, demonstrators filled downtown streets and surrounding communities, confronting authorities and igniting debate over the balance of power between state and federal governments. The phrase “National Guard” now anchors a volatile moment that has become both a legal flashpoint and a national symbol of unrest.

A Weekend of Flashpoints and Fire

The unrest began after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested over 100 immigrants across the city last week. Raids took place in parking lots, courthouses, and even workplaces, sparking outrage across immigrant-heavy neighborhoods like Paramount and Compton. The flashpoint came Saturday, when agents were spotted gathering at a Home Depot in Paramount. Even though no raids occurred here, protesters flooded the area after rumors of federal presence spread online. Tensions escalated as Border Patrol agents formed barricades and fired tear gas and flash-bang grenades.

By Sunday, the chaos reached a new level. Fires burned in intersections, self-driving vehicles were torched, and freeways were shut down. Aerial surveillance showed dense crowds clashing with police near the Metropolitan Detention Center in downtown L.A., where detained immigrants were held. Authorities responded with tear gas, rubber bullets, and crowd dispersal tactics. The LAPD declared an unlawful assembly as demonstrators defied dispersal orders late into the night.

Trump’s Federal Show of Force Meets Resistance

President Donald Trump responded swiftly. He ordered the deployment of 300 National Guard troops to Los Angeles to protect federal assets and support Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations. He described the protests as a “riot” and accused “radical left agitators” of turning peaceful demonstrations into dangerous uprisings. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that Marines stationed at Camp Pendleton were on alert and could be mobilized if violence continued.

The deployment, however, bypassed California’s chain of command. Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the move as unconstitutional, calling it “a serious breach of state sovereignty.” In a formal request to the White House, Newsom demanded the withdrawal of the National Guard, arguing that state officials, not the federal government, should control troop activity within state borders. “We didn’t have a problem until Trump got involved,” Newsom said on social media.

A City on Edge as Legal Lines Blur

This deployment marks the first time in decades that the federal government activated National Guard forces in a state without the governor’s consent. The last such instance occurred in 1965, during the Civil Rights Movement. Legal experts and advocacy groups say the move could trigger a constitutional challenge, especially if active-duty military personnel are introduced next.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass echoed the governor’s concerns. “This is an intentional effort to sow chaos,” she said. She warned that the city was becoming a tinderbox and criticized the federalization of response forces as inflammatory. Despite her pushback, federal agencies continued to operate with force across L.A. neighborhoods, including the heavily Latino southeast corridor of the city.

Some protests have remained peaceful. Demonstrators carried signs, chanted slogans, and blocked traffic without engaging with law enforcement. But as federal forces confronted marchers, scenes of violence erupted. Fireworks were launched at police lines. Officers fired less-lethal rounds. Cars burned. Many protesters were injured and dozens arrested, including a union leader.

Federal Power vs. State Control: Who Gets the Upper Hand?

Meanwhile, President Trump signaled more action ahead. He said he would consider sending troops to other cities if similar unrest erupted. At Camp David, he told reporters, “We’re going to have troops everywhere. We won’t let this happen to our country.” Critics argue the administration is using immigration enforcement to stoke fear and provoke resistance, with the National Guard as its bluntest instrument.

While many residents call for calm, the streets remain tense. The coming days will test whether the state can reassert control and whether the deployment of the National Guard will quell the violence or worsen it.

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