by Our Correspondent in Washington DC
Tensions exploded into a third consecutive day of chaos in downtown Los Angeles on Sunday as protests against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) escalated into violent confrontations with law enforcement, the takeover of a major freeway, and the deployment of the National Guard.
Triggered by aggressive ICE raids across Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago, demonstrators clashed with police, blocked the 101 Freeway, and set vehicles ablaze. What began as peaceful protests outside federal buildings quickly spiraled into violent unrest, with LAPD officers firing tear gas and non-lethal rounds to disperse crowds.
The Los Angeles Police Department reported 27 arrests on Saturday and another 10 on Sunday, including an individual accused of throwing a Molotov cocktail. Three LAPD officers were injured. Federal authorities say the protests may continue for weeks, as ICE has indicated the raids could last up to 30 days.
Freeway Standoff, Downtown Clashes
The most dramatic scenes unfolded Sunday afternoon when hundreds of demonstrators flooded the 101 Freeway near the Metropolitan Detention Center. Police held the line on the opposite side of the median while projectiles—including water bottles and even electric scooters—were hurled from above.
“It’s a war zone,” one bystander told NewsNation.
Protesters chanted “shame” at members of the National Guard, who were seen in full riot gear with long guns and shields, stationed outside federal facilities. By evening, the area was littered with debris and scorch marks from small fires set throughout the city.
Political Firestorm: Trump vs. Newsom
The unrest sparked a furious political battle between President Donald Trump and California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who on Sunday formally requested the federal government withdraw National Guard troops from Los Angeles County.
“This is a serious breach of state sovereignty,” Newsom said. “Rescind the order. Return control to California.”
President Trump, speaking from the tarmac in Morristown, New Jersey, defended the deployment. “Nobody’s gonna spit on our police officers or our military,” he said. He also hinted at invoking the Insurrection Act, though said the protests had not yet reached that level.
Trump’s “border czar,” Tom Homan, warned that California officials could face arrest if they obstruct ICE operations. “It’s a felony to impede law enforcement,” Homan told NBC News.
ICE Raids Spark Anger in Latino Communities
The protests began after ICE launched a high-profile raid at a Home Depot in Paramount, a predominantly Latino city south of L.A., where a large immigrant community quickly mobilized via social media. The demonstration spread rapidly and became volatile as law enforcement responded with tear gas and pepper spray.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said ICE operations will not be deterred: “If you lay a hand on a law enforcement officer, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
Mayors, Military, and Public Reaction
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass condemned the violence but blamed the Trump administration’s tactics for sparking the chaos. “This is not about public safety,” Bass said. “It’s about fear. This is the last thing our city needs.”
At Camp Pendleton, demonstrators protested the military’s role in quelling civil unrest. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that U.S. Marines stationed at the base are on high alert, ready to mobilize “if violence continues.”
Meanwhile, social media erupted with calls for continued demonstrations, while portions of downtown Los Angeles remained cordoned off late Sunday in anticipation of further unrest.
Protests Spread to NYC and Chicago
In New York City, some 150 people gathered outside a federal building at Federal Plaza. The protest escalated after ICE arrested a migrant immediately after his immigration case was dismissed. Twenty arrests were reported.
Chicago also saw mounting tensions after ICE detained a mother during a scheduled check-in. Alderman Raymond Lopez warned that “professional agitators” are hijacking the protests, drawing comparisons to the George Floyd demonstrations of 2020.
“This is not what we need right now,” Lopez said.
What Comes Next?
As federal agents continue their nationwide immigration crackdown, cities across the U.S. are bracing for further protests. Legal battles between California and the Trump administration loom, with Newsom pledging to file a lawsuit Monday challenging the federal troop deployment.
“The Guard has served Los Angeles in times of recovery,” Newsom said. “This is the wrong mission—and it will erode public trust.”
For now, the streets of L.A. remain on edge, as protesters, law enforcement, and politicians brace for what could be a prolonged and deeply divisive standoff.
