Protests escalate in Los Angeles hours after Trump deploys National Guard troops

According to media reports, police used tear gas and “less-lethal munitions” to disperse the crowd that had been demonstrating against Trump's immigration crackdown and deployment of the National Guard.

Thousands of Angelenos swamped the streets around city hall, the federal courthouse and a detention center where protesters arrested in the days before are being held, reported The Guardian.

Several cars were reportedly set on fire by the demonstrators.

Sunday marked the third day of the protest against Trump's immigration.

LAPD Central Division wrote on X: "Demonstrators have halted vehicles on Los Angeles North of Arcadia St and ignited the vehicles. Our partners with LAFD are attempting to enter the area to extinguish the fire."

Several politicians object to Trump's decision

Trump's decision to deploy the National Guard troops was objected to by local officials.

California’s governor, Gavin Newsom, wrote on X: "I have formally requested the Trump Administration rescind their unlawful deployment of troops in Los Angeles county and return them to my command."

"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," he said.

Trump's political rival and former US Vice President Kamala Harris reacted to the current situation in Los Angeles and said the deployment of the National Guard troops is a dangerous escalation meant to provoke chaos.

"The Administration's actions are not about public safety-they're about stoking fear," she said.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said the deployment of the National Guard to Los Angeles has been a chaotic escalation.

"The City will remain focused on protecting all who call L.A. home," she wrote on X.

Friday-Saturday clashes

Protests erupted around Los Angeles on Friday, which led to the arrest of 44 people.

The arrest occurred amid Trump's crackdown on immigration.

Law enforcers on Saturday used tear gas and flash bangs to disperse the crowds in Paramount, California. Some protesters were reportedly detained.