Protests Grow Nationwide as Trump Orders Troops into Los Angeles

Protests over President Donald Trump’s aggressive immigration crackdown continued to spread across the United States on Wednesday, even as federal forces tightened control in Los Angeles. The deployment of hundreds of Marines and National Guard troops in the city has drawn sharp criticism from local leaders and sparked concern about growing militarization in immigrant-rich communities.t

The unrest began last week after Trump escalated workplace raids targeting undocumented migrants, a key pillar of his immigration agenda. In response, demonstrations erupted in Los Angeles and have since spread to cities including New York, Chicago, and Seattle. Protesters are demanding an end to the sweeping raids, which many say are tearing apart families and targeting low-wage workers rather than dangerous offenders.

In Los Angeles, an overnight curfew was largely observed, though police arrested about 25 people who defied orders to disperse. Downtown remained quiet by Wednesday morning, with officers stationed near government buildings and businesses boarded up in anticipation of further unrest. Despite the military presence, many residents insist the situation is being exaggerated by the White House.

“Our city is not at all on fire,” said Lynn Sturgis, a 66-year-old retired teacher at a prayer vigil near the Federal Building. “It’s not burning down, as our terrible leader is trying to tell you.”

Approximately 1,000 of the 4,700 troops Trump ordered to Los Angeles are actively deployed, according to military officials. The rest, including 700 active-duty Marines, are undergoing training in civil disturbance tactics. The Pentagon estimates the cost of the operation at \$134 million.

Some protests have seen pockets of violence, including the burning of self-driving taxis and clashes with police. Authorities have responded with tear gas and other crowd-control measures. Trump, who campaigned on promises to stem what he described as an “invasion” of migrants, has used the unrest to justify federal intervention, overruling California Governor Gavin Newsom’s objections.

“If our troops didn’t go into Los Angeles, it would be burning to the ground right now,” Trump claimed on social media Wednesday. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt echoed that message, insisting Trump “will never allow mob rule to prevail in America.”

Governor Newsom accused the president of manufacturing the crisis for political gain. “Democracy is under assault right before our eyes,” he said in a televised address. “California may be first, but it clearly won’t end here.”

Despite threats from Trump to send National Guard troops to other Democratic-run states, protests are gaining momentum. Demonstrators marched in major cities Tuesday night, and more rallies are expected in the coming days. Texas Governor Greg Abbott, a Republican, has deployed state forces to counter protests in San Antonio.

A national protest dubbed the “No Kings” movement is scheduled for Saturday, coinciding with a controversial military parade in Washington, D.C., marking the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army and Trump’s 79th birthday. Trump has warned that any disruptions will be met with “very heavy force.”

Critics say the administration is using military force not to ensure public safety but to suppress dissent and distract from the human toll of its immigration policies. Governor Newsom accused Trump of going far beyond his stated mission to target violent offenders, pointing to arrests of gardeners, day laborers, and seamstresses.

Video footage shared with AFP on Wednesday showed federal agents ramming a car in Los Angeles’ Boyle Heights neighborhood, deploying smoke, and arresting a man in front of his visibly shaken wife and children.