Los Angeles erupts in protests against Trump administration's immigration raids amid political tensions
Shreeaa Rathi | TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Jun 10, 2025, 17:42 IST
( Image credit : AP, TOIGLOBAL )
In the vibrant streets of Los Angeles, tensions simmer as the Trump administration clashes with a united front of opponents. Immigration raids spark outraged protests, leading to a wave of arrests. While the White House views these actions as a strategic advantage, Democrats rally against the perceived injustices.
Los Angeles has become a focal point of contention between the Trump administration and its opposition, marked by protests, arrests, and legal challenges following immigration raids in the city. The demonstrations, which included freeway shutdowns and the arrest of a labor leader, have drawn criticism and prompted a federal response that includes the potential deployment of Marines and threats to arrest California's governor, Gavin Newsom. The White House views this conflict as a political advantage, while Democrats and activists denounce the actions as politically motivated and inhumane.
Massive protests have erupted in Los Angeles against the Trump administration's immigration raids, resulting in at least 56 arrests. Demonstrations have disrupted traffic on major freeways. Federal authorities are facing scrutiny following the arrest of a prominent labor leader.
The White House has threatened to arrest California’s governor and mobilized Marines to support National Guard troops in defending federal property. State officials are suing the administration.
“We’re happy to have this fight,” a White House official said, emphasizing that politically, the administration sees it as a winning issue.
Democrats and immigration activists have criticized the Los Angeles operation as illegal and inhumane. They insist that it’s all about politics and not about sound public policy.
“This Administration’s actions are not about public safety — they’re about stoking fear,” former Vice President Kamala Harris wrote in a statement.
Trump allies argue that the president is simply carrying out his campaign promises.
“This is what America voted for, period,” a Trump adviser said. “This is the America First focus that got the president elected and is driven by nothing else than what he promised American voters.”
“Look at the violence, the attacks on law enforcement,” the adviser added. “If Democrats want to support that, let them. This is why we win elections and they do not.”
Trump advisers point to public polling that shows support for the administration’s immigration policies. A CBS/YouGov poll found that 54% of respondents approved of the administration’s “program to deport immigrants illegally.”
“I know there’s no question places like California have thumbed their nose at the American people and decided they want to be a sanctuary for criminals,” Sen. Kevin Cramer said. “I think he’s exercising exactly what he said he’d do and what people elected him” to do.
The administration’s response to the protests appears to consider the reaction in conservative media. Phil McGraw, known as “Dr. Phil,” embedded with Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents during the Los Angeles raids.
The Trump adviser, asked about McGraw’s involvement, said: “This is an important moment in American history. People have a right to see it in a way not unfairly skewed by a biased mainstream media.”
Republicans see the fight as a political win.
“I think it is a symptom of how far left this party has done when you have major Democrats standing on the side of illegal aliens that are torching vehicles,” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis told Fox News. “It is one of the reasons the Democratic Party is struggling so much nationally,” he added.
Matthew Bartlett, a Republican strategist and former Trump administration official, said the raids shouldn’t be a surprise because immigration is a “legitimate issue” the voters have signaled they care about.
“There is no political upside in defending or denying the images of burning cars, rioters and looting and the destruction,” he said of Democrats. “A feeling that things have spun out of control in California and that government can’t effectively govern. … It has changed the conversation from illegal immigration to a breakdown in society.”
There has been some disagreement about how far to push in going after California Democrats. The Trump administration authorized the deployment of National Guard troops over the opposition of California Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass have argued that inserting National Guard troops will inflame tensions and potential violence. Trump signaled he would consider arresting Newsom if he were to continue what the administration considers to be his interference.
“I would do it if I were Tom,” Trump said, referring to his “border czar,” Tom Homan. “I think it’s great. Gavin likes the publicity. But I do think it would be a great thing.”
“It’s not being actively planned or considered,” a senior White House official said. “But anyone who breaks federal law puts themselves at risk of being arrested. That’s just a basic fact.”
A second White House official said that if either Newsom or Bass do something at odds with federal immigration law, they could be detained.
Newsom has leaned into the threats, practically daring the administration to arrest him.
“He’s a tough guy. Why doesn’t he do that? He knows where to find me,” Newsom told MSNBC.
Referring to Homan, he added: “That kind of bloviating is exhausting. So, Tom, arrest me. Let’s go.”
California sued the Trump administration, arguing that Trump’s federalizing the state’s National Guard is “unlawful.”
“Let me be clear: There is no invasion. There is no rebellion,” Democratic state Attorney General Rob Bonta said. “The president is trying to manufacture chaos and crisis on the ground for his own political ends. Federalizing the California National Guard is an abuse of the president’s authority under the law — and not one we take lightly. We’re asking a court to put a stop to the unlawful, unprecedented order.”
Trump supporters have lined up behind him, with some even offering to head to Los Angeles to help.
“Preparing to deploy … to Los Angeles,” vocal Trump supporter Benny Johnson said on X.
The increasingly contentious political fight over Los Angeles is no longer just about deporting those with criminal records.
On Monday, an MSNBC host asked Homan whether everyone ICE has arrested as part of the Trump administration’s immigration efforts had criminal records, and he had a blunt response.
“Absolutely not,” he said.
Massive protests have erupted in Los Angeles against the Trump administration's immigration raids, resulting in at least 56 arrests. Demonstrations have disrupted traffic on major freeways. Federal authorities are facing scrutiny following the arrest of a prominent labor leader.
The White House has threatened to arrest California’s governor and mobilized Marines to support National Guard troops in defending federal property. State officials are suing the administration.
“We’re happy to have this fight,” a White House official said, emphasizing that politically, the administration sees it as a winning issue.
Democrats and immigration activists have criticized the Los Angeles operation as illegal and inhumane. They insist that it’s all about politics and not about sound public policy.
“This Administration’s actions are not about public safety — they’re about stoking fear,” former Vice President Kamala Harris wrote in a statement.
Trump allies argue that the president is simply carrying out his campaign promises.
“This is what America voted for, period,” a Trump adviser said. “This is the America First focus that got the president elected and is driven by nothing else than what he promised American voters.”
“Look at the violence, the attacks on law enforcement,” the adviser added. “If Democrats want to support that, let them. This is why we win elections and they do not.”
Trump advisers point to public polling that shows support for the administration’s immigration policies. A CBS/YouGov poll found that 54% of respondents approved of the administration’s “program to deport immigrants illegally.”
“I know there’s no question places like California have thumbed their nose at the American people and decided they want to be a sanctuary for criminals,” Sen. Kevin Cramer said. “I think he’s exercising exactly what he said he’d do and what people elected him” to do.
The administration’s response to the protests appears to consider the reaction in conservative media. Phil McGraw, known as “Dr. Phil,” embedded with Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents during the Los Angeles raids.
The Trump adviser, asked about McGraw’s involvement, said: “This is an important moment in American history. People have a right to see it in a way not unfairly skewed by a biased mainstream media.”
Republicans see the fight as a political win.
“I think it is a symptom of how far left this party has done when you have major Democrats standing on the side of illegal aliens that are torching vehicles,” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis told Fox News. “It is one of the reasons the Democratic Party is struggling so much nationally,” he added.
Matthew Bartlett, a Republican strategist and former Trump administration official, said the raids shouldn’t be a surprise because immigration is a “legitimate issue” the voters have signaled they care about.
“There is no political upside in defending or denying the images of burning cars, rioters and looting and the destruction,” he said of Democrats. “A feeling that things have spun out of control in California and that government can’t effectively govern. … It has changed the conversation from illegal immigration to a breakdown in society.”
There has been some disagreement about how far to push in going after California Democrats. The Trump administration authorized the deployment of National Guard troops over the opposition of California Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass have argued that inserting National Guard troops will inflame tensions and potential violence. Trump signaled he would consider arresting Newsom if he were to continue what the administration considers to be his interference.
“I would do it if I were Tom,” Trump said, referring to his “border czar,” Tom Homan. “I think it’s great. Gavin likes the publicity. But I do think it would be a great thing.”
“It’s not being actively planned or considered,” a senior White House official said. “But anyone who breaks federal law puts themselves at risk of being arrested. That’s just a basic fact.”
A second White House official said that if either Newsom or Bass do something at odds with federal immigration law, they could be detained.
Newsom has leaned into the threats, practically daring the administration to arrest him.
“He’s a tough guy. Why doesn’t he do that? He knows where to find me,” Newsom told MSNBC.
Referring to Homan, he added: “That kind of bloviating is exhausting. So, Tom, arrest me. Let’s go.”
California sued the Trump administration, arguing that Trump’s federalizing the state’s National Guard is “unlawful.”
“Let me be clear: There is no invasion. There is no rebellion,” Democratic state Attorney General Rob Bonta said. “The president is trying to manufacture chaos and crisis on the ground for his own political ends. Federalizing the California National Guard is an abuse of the president’s authority under the law — and not one we take lightly. We’re asking a court to put a stop to the unlawful, unprecedented order.”
Trump supporters have lined up behind him, with some even offering to head to Los Angeles to help.
“Preparing to deploy … to Los Angeles,” vocal Trump supporter Benny Johnson said on X.
The increasingly contentious political fight over Los Angeles is no longer just about deporting those with criminal records.
On Monday, an MSNBC host asked Homan whether everyone ICE has arrested as part of the Trump administration’s immigration efforts had criminal records, and he had a blunt response.
“Absolutely not,” he said.