The police instructed the protesters to disperse, according to Reuters. Violent demonstrations in response to President Trump’s immigration policy continue to escalate throughout the city.
LA mayor criticizes Trump for inciting disorder
On June 9, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass criticized President Donald Trump and his administration for provoking chaos in the area through aggressive immigration enforcement that triggered widespread protests.
She also condemned the deployment of National Guard troops, reported Reuters.
British photographer injured
Nick Stern, a British photographer, sustained injuries from a ‘plastic bullet’ during the protests in Los Angeles while documenting confrontations between police and demonstrators.
As reported by the BBC, a three-inch plastic bullet struck his thigh while he was covering the protests, necessitating emergency surgery after the incident.
California National Guard troops arrived in Los Angeles to help control the protests over President Trump’s immigration enforcement, according to Reuters.
The state’s Democratic governor Gavin Newsom called their deployment unlawful.
Businesses report looting and vandalism
Business owners are reporting instances of looting in the vicinity of Broadway and 6th Street, as stated by the Los Angeles Police Department on Monday, June 9.
Authorities have urged businesses to report any vandalism, damage, or looting to the LAPD Central Division.
“All Downtown LA businesses or residents are encouraged to report any vandalism, damage, or looting to the LAPD Central Division for official documentation. Please photograph all vandalism and damage prior to cleanup,” it stated on X (formerly Twitter).
They spit, we hit: Donald Trump
President Donald Trump has warned of a strong law enforcement presence in Los Angeles as protests against immigration raids grow, stating that if protesters “spit” on officers, they will be “hit” back.
“I told them, nobody’s gonna spit on our police officers. Nobody’s gonna spit on our military, which they do – it’s a common theme. They get close and then start spitting in their faces. When that happens, they get hit very hard,” Trump told reporters, according to PTI.
“If we perceive any danger to our country or its citizens, we will be very, very strong regarding law and order. It’s all about law and order,” he added.
VIDEO | On protests in Los Angeles over the immigration issue after citizens from 12 countries were banned, US President Donald Trump (@POTUS) (@realDonaldTrump) states, “Stand in the way of law and order, yeah, they will face charges… We’re gonna be monitoring it very closely.… pic.twitter.com/j4LRZm3nT2
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 9, 2025
He also urged law enforcement to arrest those wearing masks in a post on Truth Social.
Protesters clashed with security forces in downtown Los Angeles on Sunday (June 8) following President Trump’s decision to deploy National Guard troops in response to ongoing immigration enforcement.
Demonstrators set vehicles on fire, blocked major highways, and confronted law enforcement in the city’s most intense unrest since the crackdown began on Friday, June 6, as reported by Agence France-Presse (AFP).
The protests reached their fourth consecutive day, fueled by anger over arrests made by federal immigration officers. Authorities claim those detained include undocumented migrants and gang members, according to AFP.
The daytime operations have sparked backlash in this liberal-leaning city, which has a significant Latin American population. Thousands of protesters have gathered to express their discontent against police actions, according to the Associated Press (AP).
Rising state-federal tensions
California Governor Gavin Newsom criticized Trump’s actions, describing them as a violation of state authority.
Read more: Trump deploys National Guard as Los Angeles protests against immigration agents continue
“We didn’t have an issue until Trump intervened,” Newsom wrote on X (formerly Twitter). He labeled the move a grave infringement on state sovereignty. “Rescind the order. Give California back its control,” he added.
Protests on June 8 saw at least three Waymo self-driving vehicles set ablaze and two others vandalized. Traffic on a primary freeway was disrupted for over an hour before being cleared by California Highway Patrol using flash-bangs and smoke grenades, according to AFP.
Increased security and arrests
Federal agents from the Department of Homeland Security clashed briefly with a group of protesters outside a detention facility. However, most of the conflicts involved local police.
By afternoon, Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officers had cordoned off areas around federal buildings to separate protesters from members of the 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.
LAPD confirmed that 56 arrests were made in recent days and reported minor injuries to three officers, as per AFP.
Read more: Trump’s travel ban on 12 countries goes into effect early Monday
Trump defends use of force
When questioned, President Trump remained resolute. “We have violent people, and we will not permit them to get away with it,” he told reporters. “I believe you will see strong law and order,” he added, according to AFP.
“We are considering deploying troops everywhere. We will not allow this to happen in our country,” he responded to inquiries about invoking the Insurrection Act, which would permit military use as a domestic policing force.
Democrats, including former Vice President Kamala Harris, condemned the move as “a dangerous escalation intended to provoke chaos,” according to AFP.
