Trump Calls for Crackdown as LA Protests Over Immigration Raids Enter Third Day

Protests in Los Angeles over immigration raids entered a third day on Sunday, with growing unrest prompting police to declare parts of the city an "unlawful assembly" zone and President Donald Trump calling for a military crackdown.

Demonstrations began on Friday after it emerged that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers were carrying out coordinated raids across the city, targeting undocumented immigrants.

At least 121 people were arrested in operations concentrated in the Westlake district and in Paramount, a predominantly Hispanic suburb south of LA.

As protesters gathered outside the Federal Building in downtown LA—reportedly where some detainees were being held—tensions escalated.

Vehicles were set ablaze, businesses looted, and police clashed with demonstrators.

On Saturday, 2,000 National Guard troops were deployed to the area, despite opposition from California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.

The violence has left several injured, including a British photojournalist who required surgery after being shot with a sponge bullet, and an Australian reporter who was struck with a non-lethal round while covering the protests.

President Trump, posting repeatedly on his Truth Social platform, called for immediate and forceful action.

"Looking really bad in L.A. BRING IN THE TROOPS!!!" he wrote in one message. In another, he demanded: "ARREST THE PEOPLE IN FACE MASKS, NOW!"

Critics accused the president of inflaming the situation. Jose Barrera, national vice president of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), told the BBC that Trump's actions were designed "to create civic unrest" in Los Angeles.

"There’s no need for the National Guard. We already have 17,000 police officers," he said. "Deploying troops only increases tensions and sets a dangerous precedent."

While some acts of vandalism and violence have occurred, Barrera said most protesters remain peaceful. "There’s unrest, but also unity.

People are standing up peacefully to defend immigrants and their rights."

ICE has confirmed that 44 undocumented immigrants were arrested at a single job site on Friday, with a further 77 picked up across the greater LA area the same day.

Reports of a raid at a Home Depot store in Paramount were later debunked by officials.

The protests have raised tensions between the White House and California’s political leadership.

Governor Newsom responded defiantly to suggestions by Trump’s "border czar," Tom Homan, that state officials could face arrest for impeding immigration enforcement.

“Trump’s border czar is threatening to arrest me for speaking out. Come and get me, tough guy,” Newsom posted on X.

“It won’t stop me from standing up for California.”

Homan had earlier told NBC News that raids would continue and warned that anyone—elected officials included—who obstructs ICE operations could face prosecution.

“It’s a felony to knowingly harbour or conceal an illegal alien,” he said.

As night fell on Sunday, LA correspondent Peter Bowes reported that the atmosphere in downtown had calmed slightly compared to the violent clashes the day before.

But with the president escalating his rhetoric and immigration enforcement set to continue, tensions are likely to remain high in the days ahead.