LOS ANGELES (June 11, 2025) —
Mayor Karen Bass has declared a local emergency and enforced an 8 p.m.–6 a.m. curfew across a one-square-mile area of Downtown L.A., aimed at quelling a spike in violence and looting tied to continued anti-ICE protests. The demonstrations—sparked by federal immigration raids—have stretched into their fifth consecutive night, resulting in property damage to over 20 businesses and nearly 200 arrests on Tuesday alone.
In a controversial move, approximately 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 U.S. Marines have been deployed to the city. Initially tasked with guarding federal buildings, additional reports confirmed that some troops are now accompanying ICE agents during raids, igniting widespread legal and constitutional concerns.
Governor Gavin Newsom has condemned the deployment as “authoritarian” and has filed a federal injunction to stop what he described as illegal militarization of civilians, with a court hearing slated for Thursday.
Meanwhile, President Trump has ramped up rhetoric, describing the unrest as an “insurrection” and pledging to “liberate” the city. He hinted this intervention may not be limited to Los Angeles—calling the situation “the first of many.” He also revealed a 16-minute phone call with Gov. Newsom, urging him to “get your act together”.
As L.A. braces for the Thursday court hearing, tensions remain high under the continuing curfew and heavy military presence, with political leaders and civil rights groups warning of the dangers of domestic military involvement. The coming days may prove decisive in defining the balance between public safety and constitutional limits on military power.
