A curfew was set across downtown Los Angeles on Tuesday evening amid the ongoing unrest sparked by President Donald Trump’s strict immigration policies. The deployment of the National Guard has intensified, while the governor criticized the move, warning of a “military dragnet” descending on America’s second-largest metropolis.
Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, filed an emergency legal request in court to halt the collaboration between the military and federal immigration authorities. Some of the Guard units were seen standing near immigration agents during operations. The governor argued that this step would provoke further disorder rather than calm it. The presiding judge did not immediately issue a decision, allowing the federal government to proceed until a court session scheduled for Thursday.
This development positions the Guard closer to direct roles such as deportations, fulfilling Trump’s vows to crack down on immigration. Although they may restrain individuals who assault officers, official arrests are left to the police.
More than 4,000 National Guard troops, alongside 700 Marines, have been authorized for deployment by Trump—despite vocal objections from state and city officials. Thus far, the Marines have not been seen on LA streets, and the Guard’s involvement with protestors has been minimal, primarily focused on guarding federal property.
As night fell and the curfew was enforced, police helicopters hovered over government buildings in the protest zone, broadcasting commands for the crowd to disperse. Mounted police and riot squads on foot circled the demonstrators, shouting: “Move!” Many protestors scattered, but some remained, defying orders.
Authorities defended the curfew as essential to deter looters and vandals exploiting the protests for destructive purposes.
Similar demonstrations erupted in other cities including Dallas, Austin, Chicago, and New York. In New York alone, thousands rallied and several were detained by police.
In Texas, where officers in Austin dispersed demonstrators using chemical agents Monday, Republican Governor Greg Abbott’s office said National Guard forces were “on standby” for possible deployment, according to a statement made Tuesday evening by spokesperson Andrew Mahaleris.
San Antonio police assistant chief Jesse Salame confirmed Guard members had been stationed in the city, though the number and specifics remained undisclosed.
Los Angeles Mayor Orders Curfew
Mayor Karen Bass proclaimed a local emergency, announcing that the curfew would be enforced from 8 p.m. Tuesday until 6 a.m. Wednesday.
“We reached a tipping point” after 23 businesses were looted, Bass stated during a press event.
The curfew restricts a one-square-mile section of downtown where protests have been focused since Friday. For comparison, the city itself spans nearly 500 square miles.
Exempt from the curfew are residents within the zone, homeless individuals, accredited press, and emergency or public safety personnel, as clarified by Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell.
McDonnell observed that “unlawful and dangerous behavior” had sharply risen since Saturday.
“The curfew is a necessary measure to protect lives and safeguard property following several consecutive days of growing unrest throughout the city,” McDonnell added.
Trump Considers Invoking Insurrection Act
President Trump said he may utilize the Insurrection Act—a rarely used law that permits the president to send military forces domestically in response to rebellion or severe civil disorder.
“If there’s an insurrection, I would certainly invoke it. We’ll see,” he remarked from the Oval Office.
In a later appearance at Fort Bragg during the Army’s 250th anniversary celebration, Trump referred to demonstrators as “animals” and “a foreign enemy.”
Trump also described the state of Los Angeles in bleak terms, which were disputed by both Mayor Bass and Governor Newsom.
During a televised speech Tuesday evening, Newsom accused Trump of launching an “assault” on the country’s democratic values.
“California may be first, but it clearly will not end here. Other states are next,” he declared.
Newsom urged citizens to resist violence but stand firm in opposing the president’s directives.
“What Donald Trump wants most is your fealty, your silence. To be complicit in this moment,” he said. “Do not give it to him.”
The unrest began last Friday after federal raids targeted workplaces in Los Angeles, leading to dozens of arrests. In the following days, protestors blocked major highways and set fire to vehicles, prompting law enforcement to use tear gas, rubber bullets, and flash-bang grenades in response.
Downtown has remained the main site of these gatherings, with large crowds forming near City Hall and a nearby federal complex where detained immigrants are being held after the raids.
Despite the public outcry, immigration enforcement operations have carried on across the region. Reports from community organizations and city officials indicate that ICE agents have appeared at places like libraries, car washes, and home improvement stores. Some schools have boosted security at graduation ceremonies, offering virtual attendance options to ease fears over possible ICE actions.
Police Chief McDonnell reported that 197 arrests occurred Tuesday, including 67 individuals charged with blocking the 101 Freeway.
A number of stores were burglarized Monday, but officials have not confirmed whether these incidents were directly related to the protests.
Most of those arrested were cited for failure to disperse, though charges of looting, vandalism, assault with a deadly weapon, and attempted murder (for throwing a Molotov cocktail) were also filed. Seven officers were injured, with two hospitalized and later released.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth indicated that the deployment of military personnel on U.S. soil is likely to grow in the near future.
A Pentagon statement noted that the cost of stationing the National Guard and Marines stands at $134 million.
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