As many as 500 Marines are “in a prepared-to-deploy status” should they be needed to protect federal property and personnel following an order by Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth amid escalating clashes between protesters and the authorities in Los Angeles.
Protests entered their third day as anger mounted over immigration enforcement raids in the city.California governor Gavin Newsom urged the Trump administration to withdraw its order to deploy 2,000 National Guard troops in Los Angeles County, calling it "unlawful".
Accusing the US president of trying to "manufacture a crisis" and violating California's state sovereignty, he said: "These are the acts of a dictator, not a President."
The White House disputed Newsom's characterisation, saying in a statement that "everyone saw the chaos, violence and lawlessness”.
Members of the National Guard have descended on the city after Trump authorized the deployment of troops to assist in an immigration crackdown, against the wishes of California state authorities.
Clashes between troops and demonstrators escalated throughout Sunday, with helmeted officers using tear gas to clear crowds.
Key Points
- Full story: Trump orders law enforcement to ‘liberate’ LA from ‘migrant invasion’ amid clashes over ICE raids
- Newsom addresses Californians: 'Don't give Trump what he wants'
- LA Mayor Karen Bass on Trump's actions: 'This is just political'
- LAPD announces that city is on 'tactical alert'
- 'If they spit, we hit': Trump's new counter-protest phrase
WATCH: Waymo on fire amid protests in Los Angeles
04:32 , Gustaf KilanderWaymo on fire in Los Angeles pic.twitter.com/bfIGbdEnyu
— Acyn (@Acyn) June 9, 2025
‘They spit, we hit’, says Trump
04:26 , Namita SinghDonald Trump in a social media post on Sunday, called the demonstrators "violent, insurrectionist mobs" and said he was directing his cabinet officers "to take all such action necessary" to stop what he called "riots".
Speaking to reporters in New Jersey, he threatened violence against demonstrators who spit on police or National Guard troops, saying "they spit, we hit”. He did not cite any specific incidents.
"If we see danger to our country and to our citizens, it will be very, very strong in terms of law and order," Trump said.
California governor calls Trump National Guard deployment in LA unlawful
04:06 , Namita SinghCalifornia National Guard troops deployed to the streets of Los Angeles on Sunday to help quell a third day of protests over president Donald Trump's immigration enforcement is unlawful, said the state's Democratic governor.
Gavin Newsom said he requested the Trump administration withdraw its order to deploy 2,000 National Guard troops in Los Angeles County, calling it unlawful.
I have formally requested the Trump Administration rescind their unlawful deployment of troops in Los Angeles county and return them to my command.
— Governor Gavin Newsom (@CAgovernor) June 8, 2025
We didn’t have a problem until Trump got involved. This is a serious breach of state sovereignty — inflaming tensions while… pic.twitter.com/SYIy81SZdH
The governor accused Trump of trying to manufacture a crisis and violating California's state sovereignty.
"These are the acts of a dictator, not a President," he wrote in a post on X.
The White House disputed Mr Newsom's characterisation, saying in a statement that "everyone saw the chaos, violence and lawlessness”.
Trump orders law enforcement to ‘liberate’ LA from ‘migrant invasion’ amid clashes over ICE raids
04:00 , Gustaf KilanderDonald Trump has vowed to “liberate Los Angeles from the Migrant Invasion,” amid violent clashes between members of the state national guard and anti-immigration enforcement protesters.
The president took to Truth Social on Sunday, where he promised that “the Illegals will be expelled” and that the city would be “set free,” as troops confronted demonstrators on the streets of downtown LA – using tear gas and “less lethal munitions” to disperse crowds.
Read more from Mike Bedigan:
Trump orders law enforcement to ‘liberate’ LA from ‘migrant invasion’
WATCH: Protesters attempt to fan back tear gas at police
03:00 , Gustaf KilanderA protester picks up a tear gas canister and throws it back at police. The rest of protesters attempt to fan the gas back at police pic.twitter.com/6DiSa566pC
— Acyn (@Acyn) June 9, 2025
Kamala Harris says deploying National Guard was 'dangerous escalation meant to provoke chaos'
02:30 , Gustaf KilanderFormer vice president and 2024 Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris said in a statement that she was “appalled” by what’s going on on the streets of Los Angeles, her hometown.
She argued that deploying the National Guard was a “dangerous escalation meant to provoke chaos.”
My statement on what's unfolding in Los Angeles. pic.twitter.com/rujs8mrVPK
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) June 8, 2025
Reporter sees LAPD officers 'shove women to the ground without provocation'
02:00 , Gustaf KilanderJames Queally, a reporter for the LA Times, noted on X at about 7pm ET that “In the last 20 or so minutes I’ve seen LAPD officers shove women to the ground without provocation, rip a sign out of a man’s hand and then swing a baton into his leg and raise a less-lethal launcher to aim directly at a protester’s head (which I’m 99% is a policy violation).”
He also noted that two motorcyclists were detained after they “ended up near the skirmish line.”
Crazy scene. A little bit ago these two motorcycles got near the protest intersection and were getting cheers from the crowd. Then, somehow, the bikes ended up near the skirmish line, one crashed and what looked like two cyclists got arrested. pic.twitter.com/IRhkQpXUpi
— James Queally (@JamesQueallyLAT) June 8, 2025
'No need to federalize troops,' LA mayor says
01:40 , Gustaf KilanderLA Mayor Karen Bass argued on CNN on Sunday that there was “no need to federalize troops.”
“To have this here is really just a provocation and something that was not needed in our city,” she added.
Mayor Karen Bass: There was no need to federalize troops. And so to have this here is really just a provocation and something that was not needed in our city. pic.twitter.com/Lrla41Yd7t
— Acyn (@Acyn) June 8, 2025
500 Marines in 'prepared to deploy status,' Northern Command says
01:25 , Gustaf KilanderU.S. Northern Command said in a statement on Sunday that by the direction of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, “approximately 2,000 California Army National Guard soldiers have been placed under federal command and control in a Title 10 status to support the protection of federal personnel and federal property in the greater Los Angeles area.”
“At this time, there are approximately 300 members of the California Army National Guard’s 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team deployed at the following locations in the greater Los Angeles area: Los Angeles, Paramount, and Compton, California,” Northern Command added in the press release.
They said that about 500 Marines are “in a prepared to deploy status” should they be needed to protect federal property and personnel.
Flashbangs used in standoff between authorities and protesters
01:20 , Gustaf KilanderWATCH: Flashbangs go off during live TV coverage in Los Angeles unrest zone, FOX News correspondent @CColemanFoxNews reports. pic.twitter.com/aL2jplMbEp
— Fox News (@FoxNews) June 8, 2025
Caruso: 'There is no emergency, widespread threat, or out of control violence in Los Angeles'
01:00 , Gustaf KilanderBusinessman Rick Caruso, who lost the 2022 LA Mayoral election to Karen Bass, took to X on Sunday to refute the notion that there’s an “emergency” in the city.
“There is no emergency, widespread threat, or out of control violence in Los Angeles,” he said.. “And absolutely no danger that justifies deployment of the National Guard, military, or other federal force to the streets of this or any other Southern California City.”
“Local law enforcement is capable of handling the situation and should arrest anyone causing violence in the streets,” he added. “We must call for calm in the streets, and deployment of the National Guard may prompt just the opposite.”
Bass: 'Feeling of intentional chaos'
Monday 9 June 2025 00:45 , Gustaf KilanderLA Mayor Karen Bass told CNN that the situation in the city bore “a feeling of intentional chaos.”
She added that the LAPD can manage the violence among a “few people” that has broken out.
“But it is as though troops were rolled out in a provocative manner, and I do not see how that is helpful to Los Angeles right now,” said Bass. “It's not the type of resources that we need in the city.”
Mayor Bass: But it is as though troops were rolled out in a provocative manner, and I do not see how that is helpful to Los Angeles right now. It's not the type of resources that we need in the city. pic.twitter.com/VjXVYhVdyn
— Acyn (@Acyn) June 8, 2025
Newsom formally requests Trump stand down national guard troops
Monday 9 June 2025 00:30 , Mike BediganGavin Newsom has formally requested that President Trump stand down national guard troops in Los Angeles.
“I have formally requested the Trump Administration rescind their unlawful deployment of troops in Los Angeles county and return them to my command,” he said, sharing a picture of the document on X.
“We didn’t have a problem until Trump got involved. This is a serious breach of state sovereignty — inflaming tensions while pulling resources from where they’re actually needed.
“Rescind the order. Return control to California.”
I have formally requested the Trump Administration rescind their unlawful deployment of troops in Los Angeles county and return them to my command.
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) June 8, 2025
We didn’t have a problem until Trump got involved. This is a serious breach of state sovereignty — inflaming tensions while… pic.twitter.com/tOtA5dcfxc
LAPD: Two officers injured after being struck by motorcyclists
Monday 9 June 2025 00:17 , Gustaf KilanderTwo people, riding motorcycles, attempted to breach a skirmish line at Alameda and Temple. Two officers were injured after being hit by the motorcyclists. Both riders have been detained. Officers are being treated at the scene by medical personnel.
— LAPD Central Division (@LAPDCentral) June 8, 2025
Watch: Trump says 'we're going to have troops everywhere' to deal with LA protests
Monday 9 June 2025 00:15 , Mike BediganClashes escalating in downtown LA
Monday 9 June 2025 00:00 , Mike BediganFootage of confrontations between law enforcement and demonstrators in downtown LA show tension escalating.
“Officers are reporting that people in the crowd are throwing concrete, bottles and other objects. Arrests are being initiated,” the LAPD wrote on X.
“A DISPERSAL ORDER has been issued for the area of Alameda and Temple. Those at Alameda and Temple must leave the area.”
Officers are reporting that people in the crowd are throwing concrete, bottles and other objects. Arrests are being initiated.
— LAPD Central Division (@LAPDCentral) June 8, 2025
A DISPERSAL ORDER has been issued for the area of Alameda and Temple.
Those at Alameda and Temple must leave the area.
Protesters throwing things at police will be arrested, LAPD says
Sunday 8 June 2025 23:43 , Mike BediganThe use of less lethal munitions has been authorized by the Incident Commander.
— LAPD Central Division (@LAPDCentral) June 8, 2025
Persons throwing items at officers will be detained and arrested.
An UNLAWFUL ASSEMBLY has been declared by the Incident Commander.
Reporter on Los Angeles: You can see them pushing this group back in some violent nature. You can see them throwing things pic.twitter.com/PVDBkq64RY
— Acyn (@Acyn) June 8, 2025
Newsom urges Angelenos 'not to take the bait' amid violent clashes
Sunday 8 June 2025 23:32 , Mike BediganTrump is trying to manufacture a crisis in LA County — deploying troops not for order, but to create chaos.
— Governor Gavin Newsom (@CAgovernor) June 8, 2025
Don’t take the bait. Never use violence or harm law enforcement.
Full story: Trump orders law enforcement to ‘liberate’ LA from ‘migrant invasion’ amid clashes over ICE raids
Sunday 8 June 2025 23:21 , Mike BediganDonald Trump has vowed to “liberate Los Angeles from the Migrant Invasion,” amid violent clashes between members of the state national guard and anti-immigration enforcement protesters.
The president took to Truth Social on Sunday, where he promised that “the Illegals will be expelled” and that the city would be “set free.”
Read the full story here:
Trump orders law enforcement to ‘liberate’ LA from ‘migrant invasion’
Watch: LA protests live: Clashes erupt at detention center after troop deploys National Guard
Sunday 8 June 2025 23:13 , Mike BediganProtestor mocks the use of National Guard
Sunday 8 June 2025 23:01 , Mike Bedigan
Trump blasts 'incompetent Governor' Newsom
Sunday 8 June 2025 22:53 , Mike BediganTrump: You have an incompetent governor. Just take a look at the train station he’s building.. I called him the other night and said you gotta take of this otherwise I’m sending in the troops pic.twitter.com/zYnPFiOAbH
— Acyn (@Acyn) June 8, 2025
LAPD announces that city is on 'tactical alert'
Sunday 8 June 2025 22:41 , Mike BediganThe City of Los Angeles is on Tactical Alert.
— LAPD Central Division (@LAPDCentral) June 8, 2025
Newsom addresses California: 'Don't give Trump what he wants'
Sunday 8 June 2025 22:36 , Mike BediganGavin Newsom has warned Californians to “stay peaceful [and]... calm.”
“California -- Don’t give Donald Trump what he wants,” the governor wrote on X.
“Speak up. Stay peaceful. Stay calm.
“Do not use violence and respect the law enforcement officers that are trying their best to keep the peace.”
It comes shortly after Trump vowed to “liberate” Los Angeles from “the Migrant Invasion.”
Trump vows to 'liberate Los Angeles from the Migrant Invasion'
Sunday 8 June 2025 22:30 , Mike BediganDonald Trump has vowed to coordinate all aspects of his administration in order to “liberate Los Angeles from the Migrant Invasion.”
The president took to Truth Social on Sunday, where he promised that “the Illegals will be expelled” and that the city would be “set free.”
“A once great American City, Los Angeles, has been invaded and occupied by Illegal Aliens and Criminals,” he wrote.
“Now violent, insurrectionist mobs are swarming and attacking our Federal Agents to try and stop our deportation operations — But these lawless riots only strengthen our resolve.
“I am directing Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and Attorney General Pam Bondi, in coordination with all other relevant Departments and Agencies, to take all such action necessary to liberate Los Angeles from the Migrant Invasion, and put an end to these Migrant riots.
“Order will be restored, the Illegals will be expelled, and Los Angeles will be set free. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
Trump challenged on his definition of 'an insurrection'
Sunday 8 June 2025 22:13 , Mike BediganResponding to questions from reporters on Sunday, Donald Trump was asked what his definition of an “insurrection” was.
“What are the rules for engagement?” one reported asked, to which the president responded, “we’re just going to see what happens.”
Trump added: “If we think there is a serious insurrection or less than that, we’re going to have law and order.”
The reporter pressed: “How would you define an insurrection?”
“You really have to look at the site and see what’s happening ... last night in Los Angeles you had a lot of violence and it could have got a lot worse.”
Trump was accused of inciting protesters in January 2021, which ultimately led to an insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.
'If they spit, we hit': Trump's new counter-protest phrase
Sunday 8 June 2025 22:03 , Mike BediganDonald Trump appears to have coined a new phrase in response to the ongoing unrest in Los Angeles.
“When they spit at people— they spit, that’s their new thing—when that happens, I have a little statement: they spit, we hit,” he told reporters on Sunday.
“If that happens, they get hit very hard.”
The phrase is reminiscent of a previous, controversial adage introduced by Trump during the protests of 2020 – “when the looting starts, the shooting starts.”
Trump: When they spit at people— they spit, that’s their new thing—when that happens, I have a little statement: they spit, we hit.., if that happens, they get hit very hard pic.twitter.com/gYpwNz3F9O
— Acyn (@Acyn) June 8, 2025
In pictures: Tear gas used to clear protesters in downtown LA
Sunday 8 June 2025 21:49 , Mike Bedigan
Clashes between national guard and protesters begin to ramp up
Sunday 8 June 2025 21:43 , Mike BediganConfrontations between members of the state national guard and protesters in Los Angeles has begun to escalate, with what appears to be pepper balls and other non lethal weapons fired into crowds.
Footage airing on CNN also showed ranks of troops beginning to forcibly push demonstrators back.
Less than lethal weapons being deployed against protesters in Los Angeles pic.twitter.com/GqPVPOlV83
— Acyn (@Acyn) June 8, 2025
Watch: Fires erupt in streets as anti-ICE protests continue for second day in LA
Sunday 8 June 2025 21:37 , Mike Bedigan
Fires erupt in streets as anti-ICE protests continue for second day in LA
Trump says the bar for sending U.S. Marines in to LA is 'what I think it is'
Sunday 8 June 2025 21:23 , Mike BediganAsked by a reporter on Sunday what “the bar” was for sending in U.S. Marines to assist with protesters in Los Angeles, Donald Trump gave a short, but cutting answer.
“The bar is what I think it is,” he replied.
The president said: “We’re gonna have troops everywhere, we’re not going to let this happen to our country, we’re not going to let our country be torn apart like it was under Biden.”
Trump: Well, we're going to have troops everywhere.
— Acyn (@Acyn) June 8, 2025
Reporter: What’s the bar for sending in the Marines
Trump: The bar is what I think it is. pic.twitter.com/XUBX9hEZJU
No further Truths from Trump yet
Sunday 8 June 2025 21:21 , Mike BediganDonald Trump has so far remained silent on Truth Social on Sunday as tensions in Los Angeles between protesters and law enforcement continue to ramp up.
The president’s last post came on Saturday when he blasted Gavin Newsom and Karen Bass as “incompetent” and “VERY SLOW,” and congratulated members of the National Guard on a “job well done.”
Top Dem on Armed Services Committee blasts Trump and Hegseth
Sunday 8 June 2025 21:16 , Mike BediganSenator Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Armed Services Committee, criticized the “unilateral” decisions by the president and Defense Secretary to deploy troops in Los Angeles.
“Such unilateral actions, taken without consultation with local leaders, risk escalating tensions rather than calming them,” Reed said on Sunday.
Restaurant workers help LA deputies hit with tear gas
Sunday 8 June 2025 21:09 , Mike BediganVideo footage shared by ABC7 showed restaurant workers in Compton, California, helping deputies who appeared to be suffering from the effects of tear gas.
Workers appeared to be pouring liquid onto the faces of the officers in an attempt to flush their eyes.
In pictures: Anti-ICE demonstrations in Los Angeles continue
Sunday 8 June 2025 21:01 , Mike Bedigan
Congresswoman confronts national guard troops: 'Who are you going to shoot?'
Sunday 8 June 2025 20:52 , Mike BediganCalifornia Congresswoman had strong words for the national guard troops gathered in downtown LA.
“Who are you going to shoot?” she asked the two dozen soldiers gathered outside of the Metropolitan Detention Center on Alameda.
“If you’re going to shoot me, you better shoot straight.”
Bass calls Trump's actions 'chaotic escalation' in new statement
Sunday 8 June 2025 20:45 , Mike BediganIn a fiery new statement, Karen Bass called Donald Trump’s decision to mobilize the state national guard following raids by ICE a “chaotic isolation.”
The mayor said that fear in Los Angeles was “very real” but urged citizens to “remain peaceful.”
Here is her full statement:
This morning, President Trump deployed the National Guard into Los Angeles. Deploying federalized troops on the heels of these raids is a chaotic escalation.
The fear people are feeling in our city right now is very real – it’s felt in our communities and within our families and it puts our neighborhoods at risk. This is the last thing that our city needs, and I urge protestors to remain peaceful.
I’ve been in touch this morning with immigrant rights leaders as well as local law enforcement officials. Los Angeles will always stand with everyone who calls our city home.
This morning, President Trump deployed the National Guard into Los Angeles.
— Mayor Karen Bass (@MayorOfLA) June 8, 2025
Deploying federalized troops on the heels of these raids is a chaotic escalation.
The fear people are feeling in our city right now is very real – it’s felt in our communities and within our families…
Police and demonstrators square off in DTLA
Sunday 8 June 2025 20:35 , Mike BediganPolice and demonstrators have squared off outside the Metropolitan Detention Center in downtown Los Angeles.
The Los Angeles Times reported that around two dozen California National Guard troops armed with rifles and wearing helmets with riot masks were present.
Graffiti reading “f*** ICE,” “f*** LAPD,” was written across nearby buildings, the outlet reported, though it was mostly media outlets in attendance on the scene.
ICYMI: Newsom calls out Trump for thanking National Guard... before they arrived in LA
Sunday 8 June 2025 20:15 , Mike BediganThe California National Guard wasn’t even deployed in Los Angeles yet when this rant was posted.
— Governor Gavin Newsom (@CAgovernor) June 8, 2025
Facts matter. pic.twitter.com/su1WjFW9cF
Watch: LA protests: National Guard arrive after being deployed by Trump amid protester and riot police clashes
Sunday 8 June 2025 20:00 , Mike BediganLAPD monitoring three 'peaceful' demonstrations
Sunday 8 June 2025 19:44 , Mike BediganThe LAPD has said that it is currently monitoring three separate demonstrations occurring, but that all are peaceful.
The demonstrations are taking place at Olvera Street, a federal facility on Alameda, and in front of the LAPD Central Division.
Central Division has three separate demonstrations occurring.
— LAPD Central Division (@LAPDCentral) June 8, 2025
Demonstration - non permitted at Olvera St.
Demonstration - non permitted at a federal facility on Alameda.
Demonstration - permitted in front of Central Division.
All demonstrations are peaceful.
DHS releases information about 'worst' criminals arrested by ICE in LA
Sunday 8 June 2025 19:26 , Mike BediganThe Department of Homeland Security has released more information about “some of the worst of the worst criminal illegal alien” arrested by ICE during its Los Angeles operations.
“Why do Governor Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass care more about violent murderers and sex offenders than they do about protecting their own citizens?” said Assistant DHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, in an accompanying statement.
“These rioters in Los Angeles are fighting to keep rapists, murderers, and other violent criminals loose on Los Angeles streets. Instead of rioting, they should be thanking ICE officers every single day who wake up and make our communities safer.”
Newsom says Trump and Hegseth 'want a spectacle' and violence
Sunday 8 June 2025 19:08 , Mike BediganIn a statement put out via email Gavin Newsom said that President Trump and Pete Hegseth “want a spectacle” and violence.
“We have been working closely with law enforcement. There is no unmet need. The President is attempting to inflame passions and provoke a response,” he wrote.
“He would like nothing more than for this provocative show of force -- and Pete Hegseth's absurd threat to deploy United States Marines on American soil – to escalate tensions and incite violence.
“They want a spectacle. They want the violence. They think this is good for them politically.”
Newsom added: “This is not the way a civilized country behaves. It is completely deranged behavior.
“Don't give them the spectacle they want. Never use violence. Speak out peacefully and in large numbers.”
