Federal Raids Spark Violent Clashes in California
Tensions exploded in Los Angeles County over June 6-7 as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents conducted large-scale immigration raids across multiple neighborhoods, triggering violent confrontations with residents. The unrest intensified when President Trump deployed both National Guard troops and Marines to quell the disturbances.
By June 10, the situation had reached a boiling point. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass declared a state of emergency and implemented an overnight curfew covering approximately 1 square mile (2.6 square kilometers) of downtown LA to prevent further property damage and looting.
“The curfew will take effect at 8 PM tonight (11 AM Beijing time) and remain in place until 6 AM tomorrow morning,” Bass announced. Authorities indicated the curfew could extend for multiple days, with officials scheduled to reassess the situation on June 11.
Trump’s Incendiary Rhetoric
President Trump escalated the conflict with particularly harsh rhetoric, describing protesters as “thugs” and “foreign enemies” while defending his decision to deploy military forces. Speaking at Fort Bragg – the largest US Army base – before uniformed soldiers, Trump characterized the LA unrest as part of a “foreign invasion” against America.
“What you’re seeing in California is a total assault on peace, public order, and national sovereignty,” Trump declared. “These rioters are waving foreign flags as they attempt to infiltrate our country. We will not allow this to happen.”
He added: “We won’t permit attacks on federal personnel or the invasion/conquest of an American city by foreign enemies. That’s exactly what these professional agitators represent – this isn’t amateur hour.”
Trump’s inflammatory remarks coincided with hints he might invoke the Insurrection Act – one of the most extreme emergency powers available to presidents – which authorizes military deployment to suppress rebellions or domestic violence.
“The entire community is under criminal control,” Trump warned, vowing to “utilize every asset at our disposal” to restore order. He also proposed jail sentences for flag-burning protesters.
Political Crisis Deepens
Beyond the street violence, the confrontation between Trump and California Governor Gavin Newsom reached new heights. On June 10, Newsom’s office posted a video on X (formerly Twitter) mocking Trump as a Star Wars villain.
In his evening address, Newsom took his criticism national, framing the crisis as a fundamental threat to American democracy:
“This isn’t just about LA protests. When Donald Trump demands unilateral National Guard authority, he’s seeking control over every state in this union. This affects all Americans – especially you. California may be first, but this won’t stop here.”
He warned of democratic backsliding: “Authoritarian regimes always target the most vulnerable first. But Trump and his allies exploit division to consolidate power – that’s their playbook for control.”
The escalating crisis combines immigration enforcement controversies with constitutional questions about federal-state authority, creating what political analysts describe as one of the most volatile domestic situations since the 1992 Los Angeles riots. Markets are watching closely as business disruptions spread through Southern California’s economic hub.
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