Trump warns violent response to Los Angeles immigration protest.
U.S. President Donald Trump issued a stern warning following violent protests in Los Angeles against federal immigration raids. As tensions escalated, law enforcement reportedly used tear gas and pepper balls without prior notice to disperse the crowd. Protesters had gathered to oppose aggressive immigration enforcement, chanting slogans and holding banners denouncing the raids. Authorities claimed the crowd became unruly, prompting immediate action. The situation remains volatile as public outrage continues to grow.
‘They Spit, We Hit’: Trump Warns Protesters as Los Angeles Immigration Demonstration Turns Violent
Los Angeles, June 9 — U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday issued a strong warning to protesters in Los Angeles, stating that there would be serious consequences for those who spit on police officers or soldiers during demonstrations. His remarks came just hours after he ordered the deployment of National Guard troops to the city following rising tensions over federal immigration raids carried out by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The city has seen escalating protests ever since ICE launched a wave of immigration raids targeting undocumented residents. The protests intensified over the weekend, drawing large crowds of demonstrators chanting slogans such as “ICE out of LA” and demanding an end to federal immigration enforcement actions.
Tensions reached a boiling point late Saturday when a group of protesters marched from Mariachi Plaza in Boyle Heights to a federal immigration detention center in downtown Los Angeles. Scenes of chaos quickly followed, with demonstrators scrambling to avoid the choking gas as clouds filled the air and screams echoed through the streets.
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) reported that 27 individuals were arrested on Saturday night after refusing to disperse when ordered to do so. LAPD spokesperson Norma Eisenman confirmed the arrests but declined to comment on whether officers or troops used “less lethal force” such as rubber bullets, tear gas, or pepper balls.
Civil rights advocates have condemned the use of force, calling it a disproportionate response to what began as a peaceful demonstration. Organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) have demanded an independent investigation into the conduct of law enforcement and military personnel during the protests.
Meanwhile, the federal response has drawn sharp criticism and intense political debate. Vice President JD Vance described the demonstrators as “insurrectionists,” a term that fueled further outrage among activists. Senior White House aide Stephen Miller went further, characterizing the protests as a “violent insurrection” and justifying the deployment of the National Guard.
Though President Trump has not yet invoked the Insurrection Act — a rarely used 1807 statute that permits the use of active-duty U.S. military to quell civil unrest — he signaled that such a move remains on the table.
“You really just have to look at the site. You have to see what’s happening. There was a lot of violence there. It could have gotten much worse.”
Adding to the speculation over further military involvement, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated on Sunday that if the unrest continues, the federal government may consider sending active-duty troops. “The Marines at Camp Pendleton are on high alert,” he revealed, referencing the major military base located about 80 miles south of Los Angeles.
As night fell on Sunday, Los Angeles remained tense. Protesters vowed to return to the streets, calling for an immediate halt to immigration raids, accountability for the use of force, and the withdrawal of military personnel from city streets. With the president’s comments fueling national debate, the country’s immigration policies and the limits of protest rights are once again in the spotlight.