Flash bang grenades, threats of arrests--What's happening in LA?

On June 7, Border Czar Tom Homan announced that daily immigration enforcement operations would continue in Los Angeles, despite growing public protests and political opposition. His comments came after a recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation led to the arrest of 118 undocumented immigrants, some of whom were reportedly en route to scheduled immigration hearings.

The arrests triggered citywide protests that began Friday evening and have since intensified. Tensions escalated sharply after the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) declared the demonstration outside the Federal Building in downtown Los Angeles an unlawful assembly—prior to any reported violence—and ordered roughly 200 protestors to disperse. Eleven people were arrested for failing to comply.

Critics argue that LAPD’s early declaration effectively suppressed constitutionally protected speech and peaceful assembly, raising concerns about the balance between public order and First Amendment rights. The LAPD's actions also heightened tensions that led to President Trump's deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops to the city.

The federal response has also drawn sharp criticism from state leaders. Both Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and California Governor Gavin Newsom condemned President Trump’s decision, Newsom labeled the move “unlawful” and a “serious breach of state sovereignty,” accusing the administration of inflaming tensions unnecessarily. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he wrote, “We didn’t have a problem until Trump got involved,” without addressing the LAPD’s arguably unconstitutional response to individuals exercising their right to peacefully assemble.

In response, Homan emphasized that interference with immigration enforcement, including harboring undocumented individuals, constitutes a felony under federal law. “Crossing that line is a felony,” he said, adding that the Department of Justice (DOJ) stands ready to prosecute any such violations.

The administration’s position has raised legal questions about whether state or local officials, including Newsom and Bass could face arrest if their actions are viewed as obstructing federal operations.

The protests turned increasingly volatile Saturday night. Video footage appeared to show flash-bang grenades and tear gas—initially mistaken for fireworks—being deployed by law enforcement shortly after protests began. LAPD officers formed a skirmish line outside the Federal Building, holding up shields to create a barrier between demonstrators and the building.

Additional unrest unfolded in Paramount, a predominantly Latino neighborhood, where tensions escalated outside a Home Depot after Assemblymember José Luis Solache Jr. took to social media about the presence of an ICE vehicle in the area. The incident came just days after a similar raid at another Home Depot in Westlake, roughly 30 miles away. The protest turned violent when an unidentified protester—now added to the FBI’s Most Wanted List—allegedly threw rocks at officers, injuring one and damaging an ICE vehicle. The FBI has offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to the suspect’s arrest and conviction and warned the individual should be considered armed and dangerous.

Elsewhere in the city, protesters vandalized at least five Waymo self-driving vehicles, setting two on fire and spray-painting anti-Trump and anti-ICE slogans. As of Sunday evening, neither Waymo nor its parent company, Alphabet, had issued a public statement regarding the damage.

While state officials continue to oppose the National Guard presence and challenge the legality of the federal response, the Trump Administration has made clear that immigration operations will persist. Demonstrations are expected to continue in the coming days.

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