Unrest has continued for a third consecutive day in Los Angeles, as demonstrators aligned with far-left causes attempt to obstruct Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from carrying out its legal duties.
Sunday saw mostly calm and peaceful protests during the daytime, following the deployment of National Guard units to the city by order of President Trump. The president assumed control of the state’s National Guard and sent in 2,000 troops to remain stationed for at least 60 days, following two days of attacks on federal personnel by demonstrators.
Although smaller gatherings were held near city hall—where most of the National Guard is positioned—crowds swelled in other parts of the city around 3 p.m. “THOUSANDS of ANTI ICE Protestors are currently marching in Downtown Los Angeles for a third day in a row, to protest ICE raids in the county,” on-the-ground journalist Anthony Cabassa, who has been covering the riots for three days, reported.
“This is the largest number of protesters I’ve seen in years. Police and national guard on location,” he added. Cabassa also stated that the Los Angeles Police Department has declared a citywide tactical alert.
He also posted images showing newly painted graffiti with phrases like “F**k ICE,” “Erase Zionists,” and “Dead Cops” on federal buildings.
At 3:34 p.m. local time, field reporter Cam Higby released video footage capturing the moment demonstrators vandalized a police SUV attempting to navigate through the gathering. Higby said the event preceded “major clashes” between police and rioters.
Other videos posted by Higby showed protesters throwing various objects, including rocks and bottles, at law enforcement officers. Shouts threatening police were also heard as protesters clashed with officers at the front lines.
Los Angeles City Council Member Eunisses Hernandez appeared to endorse stronger resistance while speaking to demonstrators earlier in the day. “They know how quickly we mobilize, that’s why they’re changing their tactics,” the Democrat official said, drawing cheers. “Because community defense works, and our resistance has brought them down before. And if they’re escalating their tactics, then so are we. When they show up, we’ve gotta show up even stronger.”
Elsewhere in Los Angeles, a large group of demonstrators blocked sections of the U.S. Route 101 Freeway, according to footage shared by Cabassa. Police and National Guard units were deployed to clear the area.
“A once great American City, Los Angeles, has been invaded and occupied by Illegal Aliens and Criminals. Now violent, insurrectionist mobs are swarming and attacking our Federal Agents to try and stop our deportation operations,” President Trump wrote in a Truth Social post on Sunday evening.
“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.”
FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino stated that authorities had identified an individual accused of nearly killing federal agents by throwing a rock through the windshield of their moving vehicle. A $50,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the suspect’s arrest.
“Hit a cop, you’re going to jail… doesn’t matter where you came from, how you got here, or what movement speaks to you,” FBI Director Kash Patel wrote in an X post. “If the local police force won’t back our men and women on the thin blue line, we [FBI] will.”
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Saturday that further military resources could be deployed if unrest continues. “The violent mob assaults on ICE and Federal Law Enforcement are designed to prevent the removal of Criminal Illegal Aliens from our soil,” Hegseth wrote in an X post on Saturday night. “A dangerous invasion facilitated by criminal cartels (aka Foreign Terrorist Organizations) and a huge NATIONAL SECURITY RISK.”
He echoed the president’s firm stance, adding, “Under President Trump, violence & destruction against federal agents & federal facilities will NOT be tolerated. It’s COMMON SENSE.”
Hegseth finished by saying, “And, if violence continues, active duty Marines at Camp Pendleton will also be mobilized — they are on high alert.”
