Numerous press agencies have reported on the rapid escalation of protests in Los Angeles over the last few days, stemming from a series of raids conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) which began on June 6. The ICE is an enforcement arm of the Department of Homeland Security tasked to protect against illegal immigration and transnational crime.
On June 6, the ICE began raids at various locations in Los Angeles, and arrested at least 44 people, reported Al Jazeera. This action provoked protests, with demonstrators surrounding and blocking access to the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building in downtown Los Angeles, where the detainees were being processed. Demonstrations and clashes with federal agents continued through June 7.
“The Department of Homeland Security said in a statement that ‘1,000 rioters surrounded a federal law enforcement building and assaulted ICE law enforcement officers, slashed tires, defaced buildings, and taxpayer funded property.’”
Stephen Miller, White House Deputy Chief of Staff and rabid anti-immigration hardliner, posted on X that “Friday’s demonstrations were ‘an insurrection against the laws and sovereignty of the United States.’” [reported Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/white-house-aide-calls-los-angeles-anti-ice-protests-an-insurrection-2025-06-07/
). The Trump administration said that it will send in 2,000 National Guard troops into Los Angeles to quell the protests, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth posted on his X account:
