Dozens arrested as Trump deploys troops, slams “paid insurrectionists"

Los Angeles has been gripped by unrest as protests against federal immigration raids escalated dramatically, prompting a strong federal response and heated political exchanges.

With 500 US Marines on standby and 2,000 National Guard troops federalized by President Donald Trump, tensions continue to rise across the city, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

President Trump, who has posted multiple times on his Truth Social platform, criticized local leadership, writing, “These are not protesters, they are troublemakers and insurrectionists,” and later adding, “Paid Insurrectionists!” There is currently no evidence to support claims that demonstrators were paid, with early reports indicating the protests began organically in response to immigration enforcement operations.

Crowds of demonstrators filled downtown Los Angeles, temporarily shutting down the 101 Freeway and setting Waymo cars on fire. Law enforcement deployed less-lethal rounds to control the swelling unrest. As of this evening, at least 56 people have been arrested.

Police Chief Jim McDonnell stated that 29 arrests were made yesterday, and 10 more today. California Highway Patrol made an additional 17 arrests related to the freeway shutdown. Capt. Raul Jovel confirmed that arrests included individuals accused of throwing a Molotov cocktail and ramming a motorcycle into a line of officers, injuring one. The injured officer was treated at the scene.

The LAPD has expanded its unlawful assembly declaration to include all of downtown Los Angeles, effectively banning the public from an area enclosed by the 110, 101, 5, and 10 freeways. “Officers are responding to several different locations to disperse crowds,” the LAPD Central Division said on X.

Political tensions have flared. California Governor Gavin Newsom criticized the federal deployment as inflammatory, while “border czar” Tom Homan warned that Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass could be arrested if they obstruct federal operations. Newsom fired back: “Tom, arrest me. Let’s go.”

Meanwhile, the city of Glendale announced it will no longer detain immigration detainees for federal authorities, citing public trust. “The city recognizes that public perception of the ICE contract—no matter how limited or carefully managed, no matter the good—has become divisive,” officials said, stressing the move was not politically driven but made “in the interest of public safety.”

By Vafa Guliyeva