BREAKING NEWS
06/09/2025
6:18 PM EST
From Peaceful Protest to Political Theater — The Arrest, the Spin, and the Sleeping Troops
They called it “restoring order.” But the only thing this operation is restoring is the same old authoritarian playbook—now with national guardsmen passed out on the floor because no one even gave them a pillow.
What Happened on the Ground
Los Angeles wasn’t burning.
It wasn’t in crisis.
But it was loud, and it was organized—and that was enough to make it dangerous in the eyes of this administration.
It started with protests against an ICE raid.
Not just any protest, but one involving David Huerta, the president of SEIU California—there as a community observer, not a rioter. Huerta was violently arrested on Friday. His crime? Standing between a federal vehicle and a group of people chanting “Free our families.”
He was slammed to the ground, his head hitting a concrete curb, hospitalized, and then charged with “conspiracy to impede an officer.”
Let’s pause there: a union leader charged with a federal felony for simply being present and bearing witness to law enforcement actions during a protest.
And somehow, it gets worse.
The Cover-up Spins Fast
Federal agents claimed Huerta pushed an officer.
But video footage—shared by Assemblymember Isaac Bryan and others—tells a different story. It shows Huerta being shoved without provocation, and it’s not just social media receipts backing that up. Even the affidavit used to press charges relies on a sketchy, conflicting timeline.
Despite that, he was held for days at Metropolitan Detention Center before being released on $50,000 bond.
This wasn’t about justice. It was a warning.
And what did SEIU do?
They didn’t back down. Hundreds showed up downtown to protest his arrest. Chants of “Free Huerta now!” rang out in the streets near City Hall, with police in riot helmets watching from the stairs.
Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff demanded answers. They didn’t get any.
The National Guard Arrives… With Nothing
As the protests continued, the federal government escalated.
Instead of addressing the unjust arrest of a peaceful observer, the Trump administration unleashed the National Guard. But here’s where the incompetence really shines: they didn’t even give their own troops food, water, or beds.
A photo shared by Governor Gavin Newsom shows soldiers sleeping on the floor. No housing, no rations. Just concrete and chaos.
Yet Trump had the audacity to accuse protesters of “spitting on the troops” and followed it up with a threat: “If they spit, we will hit.”
That’s incitement.
And once again, it's the people in uniform caught in the crossfire of a president who wants a photo op, not public safety.
4:11 PM EST
Trump leaves National Guard woefully unprepared, forcing the guard to sleep on the ground.
President Trump, in his second term, rapidly federalized California National Guard troops—deploying around 2,000 to Los Angeles to react to immigration-related protests. They arrived with no pre-arranged accommodations, leaving them to sleep on concrete floors in basements, loading docks, and federal buildings. One source even described the situation as “wildly underprepared”
Why this matters:
• The deployment was initiated without California Governor Gavin Newsom’s approval and federal funding for essential logistics like food, water, lodging, fuel, or equipment.
• Troop numbers swelled from about 300 to over 2,100 within days—and no adequate plan for mattresses, tents, or basic sanitation was in place.
• Military leaders warned that these makeshift conditions might continue through the week unless further arrangements were made.
Context & Political Fallout
• Legal challenge: California’s Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta announced lawsuits, arguing this is an unconstitutional federal overreach that undermines state sovereignty.
• Criticism from within: Democratic voices like Bernie Sanders and Senator Elizabeth Warren condemned Trump’s actions as “authoritarian” and hazardous to democratic norms.
• Echoes of the past: The situation recalls post-inauguration 2021, when Guard members were forced to sleep in a parking garage—then also sparking bipartisan outrage.
3:59 PM EST
Pentagon to Deploy 700 Marines to L.A. While Trump Tiptoes Around Martial Law
Trump says “We’ll see.” The Pentagon says 700 Marines. No Insurrection Act invoked — but don’t mistake that for restraint. When a president sends troops to a state that didn’t ask, the warning signs aren’t subtle. They’re sirens.
The Pentagon is deploying 700 Marines into Los Angeles. That’s on top of 300 National Guard troops already in the city, with plans to hit 2,000 this week.
No state of emergency. No breakdown in local law enforcement.
Just a president using military muscle to make a political point.
A senior defense official admitted to Reuters the move was preemptive. These Marines aren’t authorized for police action — not yet. The Insurrection Act hasn’t been triggered, but the administration is keeping that door wide open. The word used was “fluid.” That’s bureaucracy-speak for “we’re ready to go full authoritarian whenever it’s convenient.”
This isn’t about restoring order. There was order.
It’s about punishing dissent — protests sparked by ICE raids, immigrant detentions, and mass arrests.
It’s about suppressing public resistance with the image of tanks and fatigues.
And Trump? He’s calling peaceful demonstrators “insurrectionists,” branding protests a “migrant invasion,” and teasing a military escalation with his trademark smirk: “We’ll see.”
This is state-sponsored intimidation. Not leadership.
WHAT THIS MEANS:
• Military boots on your city streets with no local consent.
• A president itching to invoke war powers against his own people.
• The slow normalization of using troops to crush protest.
If you think this isn’t a big deal because no one pulled a trigger yet — that’s exactly how we lose the line between “support” and suppression.
2:32 PM EST
Trump Doubles Down on Unauthorized Guard Deployment in California
Trump’s latest comments on the Los Angeles National Guard deployment confirm what we already knew — this wasn’t about protecting Californians. It was about power. At a White House roundtable, he mocked Governor Newsom, claimed LA was a “disaster,” and promised to send even more troops if he feels like it. No consultation. No coordination. Just escalation. This is how you test the limits of authoritarianism — one unauthorized troop order at a time.
What Trump Said — and Why It Matters
During a business investment roundtable at the White House, Trump was asked why he didn’t consult California Governor Gavin Newsom before deploying the National Guard to Los Angeles. His response? Insults and a threat:
“If I didn’t get involved, if we didn’t bring the Guard in — and we would bring more in if we needed it — you had a disaster happening. They were overwhelmed.”
He followed with:
“It’s lucky for the people in Los Angeles and in California that we did what we did. We got in just in time. It’s still simmering a little bit, but not very much.”
This wasn’t a federal disaster response. It was a political stunt. And now, Trump’s openly saying he’ll keep doing it — with or without consent from the state government.
What’s Actually at Stake?
• No state request. Newsom, LAPD, and LA Mayor Karen Bass never requested federal troops. None declared a state of emergency.
• Military used as muscle. Trump continues to use military language — “bring more in,” “overwhelmed,” “law and order” — despite no legal justification under the Insurrection Act.
• Mockery of democracy. Calling Newsom “incompetent” and treating the military as a personal enforcement arm is a direct challenge to the balance of powers in a federal democracy.
This Isn’t Normal
The U.S. military — including National Guard units — is not supposed to be a pawn in political fights. It’s meant to defend the country, not a president’s ego.
By circumventing California’s leadership, deploying troops into a non-hostile environment, and threatening to bring in more, Trump isn’t solving a crisis — he’s staging one.
Next Steps:
• California leaders, including AG Rob Bonta, are preparing a legal challenge.
• Veterans and national security experts continue warning this could set a very dangerous precedent.
• Protests remain largely peaceful — but the military response is still escalating.
2:17 PM EST
Key Developments in LA Deployment & Fallout
Over the weekend, President Trump federalized ~2,000 California National Guard troops to deploy in Los Angeles amid protests triggered by ICE raids—doing so without Governor Newsom’s approval. This marks the most aggressive federal domestic troop deployment since 1965 .
Reports also indicate around 700 Marines are on high alert and poised for potential deployment—though the Insurrection Act is not yet formally invoked .
Veterans & Military Leaders Sound the Alarm
• Retired officials, including Maj. Gen. Paul Eaton and Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Buchanan, have criticized the move, warning it endangers the historic norm of keeping the U.S. military apolitical. Eaton called it “the politicisation of the armed forces,” saying it “casts the military in a terrible light” .
• They caution this could pave the way for invoking the Insurrection Act of 1807 to justify full active-duty usage .
Legal Pushback from California
• Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta have announced a lawsuit challenging the deployment as unconstitutional, citing the lack of state authorization and absence of any real insurrection or emergency .
Public Order & Protester Clashes
• ICE-led raids detained dozens, sparking protests—some turning violent with looting and clashes. National Guard forces even used tear gas to disperse crowds .
• LAPD has declared unlawful assembly, reported injuries among officers, and made arrests during the unrest .
Escalation Seen as Political Power Play
• Critics argue the federal presence is a politically motivated display, especially with a planned military parade in Washington, D.C., timed near Trump’s birthday on June 14 .
• Prominent voices, including Nancy Pelosi and Hillary Clinton, have condemned the deployment as authoritarian and antithetical to democratic norms .
Why It Matters
• Military Precedent: Deploying troops domestically—without state consent—blurs the line between civilian governance and militarization.
• Eroding Civilian Oversight: Taking control away from elected state officials risks setting a precedent for future federal overreach.
• Democratic Danger: Experts warn that politicizing the armed forces threatens the Constitution’s vision of a neutral military that serves the republic, not individual leaders.
2:00 PM EST
Pelosi Slams Trump’s Arrest Suggestion as “Authoritarianism”
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi strongly condemned President Trump’s remark that he’d support arresting Governor Gavin Newsom, calling it “the hallmark of authoritarianism on the road to tyranny”
In her statement Pelosi added:
“The ongoing arrests in California of families and children obeying the law are evidence of a broader pattern of ICE’s renegade behavior… peaceful demonstrations… are a manifestation of understandable fear in our communities… This is the hallmark of authoritarianism on the road to tyranny… freedom of speech prevails.”
What’s Driving This?
Trump’s Arrest Endorsement
On June 9, Trump welcomed remarks from former ICE Director Tom Homan, who suggested Newsom couldbe arrested for obstructing federal immigration enforcement. Trump said, “I would do it if I were Tom”.
California Leadership Responds
Governor Newsom called it an “unmistakable step toward authoritarianism”.
AG Rob Bonta and CA officials filed suit against the federal deployment of troops, dismissing Trump’s threats as “bluster”.
Broader Concern from Democrats
Pelosi (alongside other Democratic leaders like Hillary Clinton) decried the move, warning it threatens constitutional norms
Legal & Constitutional Implications
Triggering the arrest of a sitting governor would require extraordinary legal grounds, exceeding conventional authority.
Critics are highlighting risks to the Posse Comitatus Act and the Constitution’s separation of powers, noting the use of federal forces and arrest threats sets a dangerous political precedent.
1:34 PM EST
Trump Escalates Language, Calls Protesters Criminals
In a fresh Truth Social rant, Donald Trump labeled the demonstrators in Los Angeles — protesting ICE raids, immigrant detentions, and National Guard deployments — as:
“Professional agitators. They’re insurrectionists. They’re bad people. They should be in jail!”
1:28 PM EST
American Federation of Teachers Condemns Trump’s “Illegal Crackdown” in LA
The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) has issued a blistering statement condemning the Trump administration’s arrests of activists, community observers, and immigrant workers in Los Angeles — along with the unauthorized deployment of the National Guard.
“This illegal, heavy-handed, and unnecessary crackdown on peaceful protesters is a trumped-up excuse to manufacture a spectacle and stoke further tensions.”
— Randi Weingarten, AFT President
With labor leader David Huerta still in federal custody after being violently arrested by ICE, and 42 Mexican workers detained, the AFT is making it clear:
This isn’t about immigration. It’s about intimidation.
“Trump Wants to Be King”
Weingarten didn’t hold back. The statement warns that Trump’s actions mirror the very kind of tyranny the U.S. was founded in rebellion against:
“This is Trump wanting to be king, putting the National Guard on the ground to target and intimidate.”
And she didn’t stop there:
“Our founders resisted kings… because we fought for due process, for constitutionally protected speech, and for not disappearing people off the streets… Today, that means not brutalizing immigrant workers advocating for themselves and their families.”
The Resistance Grows
The AFT joins a rapidly expanding coalition of unions, legal advocates, elected officials, and civil rights groups demanding:
• The immediate release of David Huerta
• An end to the ICE raids
• The withdrawal of National Guard troops from LA
• And legal accountability for the federal overreach
California has already filed suit against the Trump administration for federalizing the Guard without consent. Now educators — who know something about fighting disinformation and injustice — are calling this what it is:
An authoritarian stunt wrapped in a flag.
1:11 PM EST
SEIU President Beaten and Arrested by ICE During LA Raids
David Huerta, president of SEIU California and SEIU-USWW, was violently arrested and injured while acting as a community observer during ICE raids in Los Angeles on June 6. He wasn’t rioting. He wasn’t interfering. He was standing witness — and they took him down for it. Videos show Huerta being shoved to the ground by federal agents, then handcuffed and dragged away.
He was hospitalized Friday night for injuries sustained during the arrest and has since been released from the hospital — but he remains in federal custody, with a court appearance expected Monday.
“This is not about me,” Huerta said. “This is about how we as a community stand together and resist the injustice that’s happening.”
Labor Unions Nationwide Demand His Release
Unions across the country are sounding the alarm — not just about Huerta, but about what this arrest represents:
The federal criminalization of protest.
The violent silencing of labor leaders.
The use of immigration raids as political weapons.
SEIU and allied organizations are demanding:
• Huerta’s immediate release
• An end to the ICE raids
• The withdrawal of National Guard troops from LA streets
This is no longer just an immigration issue — it’s a workers’ rights issue, a civil rights issue, and a blatant abuse of federal power.
California Sues Trump Over National Guard Federalization
The state of California is now suing the Trump administration over its unauthorized use of National Guard troops in Los Angeles.
Newsom, Mayor Bass, and LAPD never requested them. There was no emergency declaration. Yet federal troops showed up anyway — and now, community leaders are being arrested and brutalized for Make No Mistake
ICE didn’t just arrest a labor leader.
They targeted him.
They made an example out of him.
But the backlash is growing.
As more footage circulates and union calls mount, the world is watching.
12:43 PM EST
Trump Says He’d Support Arresting Gov. Newsom Amid National Guard Showdown
Donald Trump is now openly suggesting that California Governor Gavin Newsom should be arrested — all while National Guard troops roam LA streets uninvited.
This comes just hours after Trump doubled down on his decision to deploy the military into a state that never asked for it. Trump claimed the Guard prevented Los Angeles from being “completely obliterated,” even though local authorities reported largely peaceful demonstrations until federal forces escalated tensions.
“The very incompetent ‘Governor’ Gavin Newscum… should be saying, ‘THANK YOU, PRESIDENT TRUMP, YOU ARE SO WONDERFUL,’” Trump posted on Truth Social.
Now, his administration’s former ICE director and border czar, Tom Homan, is floating the idea of arresting elected officials — including Newsom and LA Mayor Karen Bass — for “obstructing” immigration enforcement. When asked if he agreed, Trump said simply:
“I would.”
Donald Trump is now proudly bragging about his unilateral deployment of the National Guard into California — calling it a “great decision” and claiming Los Angeles would’ve been “completely obliterated” without it.
“We made a great decision in sending the National Guard… If we had not done so, Los Angeles would have been completely obliterated.”
— Donald Trump, Truth Social
12:32 PM EST
Mexican officials confirmed that 42 Mexicans were detained during the immigration raids in LA.
Four have already been deported. Most, according to Mexico’s Foreign Minister, were at work when arrested — a direct contradiction to Trump’s narrative of “violent rioters.”
“We will continue our visits to monitor the Mexicans in detention centers in Los Angeles,” said Foreign Minister Juan Ramón de la Fuente.
11:28 AM EST
The FBI has announced a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the identification, arrest, and conviction of a man they say assaulted a federal officer and damaged government property during ongoing protests in Los Angeles.
According to the bureau, the incident occurred at 3:30 PM on Saturday near Alondra Boulevard in Paramount, California, where the suspect threw rocks at law enforcement vehicles, injuring a federal officer and causing damage to federal property.
Officials are urging anyone with information to come forward, emphasizing the seriousness of the attack as unrest continues across Southern California.
💬 “This was a targeted assault on federal personnel in the line of duty. We will not allow violence to go unpunished,” an FBI spokesperson said.
10:38 AM EST
The Trump administration is fanning the flames as LA remains on edge.
Trump’s border czar Tom Homan is attempting to clean up the mess after sparking outrage this weekend by hinting that California leaders like Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass could be prosecuted for “interfering” with immigration enforcement.
Today, Homan clarified:
“There was no discussion about arresting Newsom.”
“You break the law—harbor undocumented immigrants, attack ICE, destroy property—you’ll be prosecuted. But not for just being a politician.”
His comments come after NBC News asked if Newsom or Bass could be arrested. Homan had said:
“If they cross that line, it’s a felony.”
Today he softened:
“I don’t believe Bass has crossed the line,” and emphasized there’s no active plan to arrest anyone in California’s government.
Newsom Dares Feds: “Arrest Me.”
Gov. Gavin Newsom, never one to shrink from a fight, blasted back:
“Come after me. Arrest me. Let’s just get it over with, tough guy.”
He accused the Trump administration of hiding behind attacks on immigrants and children:
“Lay your hands off four-year-old girls who are trying to get an education.”
Newsom’s tone has shifted from condemnation to open defiance—especially as the White House increases its attacks on California’s leadership.
California to Sue Over National Guard Deployment
California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced that the state is preparing to sue the Trump administration for its deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles.
“The Constitution does not allow federal troops to be deployed as political pawns,” Bonta said at a press conference this morning.
“We believe this action violates the Posse Comitatus Act and the state’s sovereign rights.”
Gov. Newsom echoed the legal threat, stating:
“Trump’s militarization of our streets is not only dangerous—it’s illegal. We will challenge it in court.”
The lawsuit is expected to be filed later this week in federal court, potentially escalating the legal standoff between California and the federal government.
Steady State Coalition Condemns “Authoritarian Drift”
In a rare rebuke, The Steady State—a bipartisan coalition of over 280 former U.S. national security professionals—issued a statement condemning Trump’s deployment of troops and ICE agents:
“This is a hallmark of authoritarian drift.”
The coalition called Trump’s recent actions:
“Inappropriate and incendiary”
“An alarming escalation in federal posture”
“A critical step toward autocracy”
Their full statement warns:
“Neither LAPD, Mayor Bass, nor Gov. Newsom has requested federal assistance. Yet Trump has militarized LA, barred protestors from wearing masks, and declared the city 'occupied by illegal aliens and criminals'… These tactics mirror those seen in fragile democracies abroad, where dissent is crushed under the guise of law enforcement.”
“What begins as provocative posturing can rapidly metastasize into something far more dangerous. Silence or acquiescence would be a grave error.”
They specifically cite Trump’s contradictory orders—banning protestors from wearing protective face coverings while requiring ICE agents to wear them during raids—as a clear intimidation tactic meant to suppress lawful dissent.
What’s Happening in LA Today:
Two major events are drawing crowds in downtown Los Angeles:
12 pm PT – ACLU & SEIU Rally
Protesters are gathering outside the Federal Building to demand an end to ICE raids and the release of SEIU California president David Huerta, who was detained Friday while documenting a raid.11 am PT – Student Walkout
Coordinated by the Party for Socialism & Liberation, this walkout will call for an end to the ICE raids and National Guard occupation of the city.
White House Goes on the Attack
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt released a sharp statement accusing Newsom of failing to control the city:
“Gavin Newsom did nothing as violent riots erupted in Los Angeles for days.
Federal law enforcement officers were attacked by violent radicals and illegal criminals waving foreign flags because Governor Newsom was too weak to protect the city.
President Trump has stepped in to maintain law and order.”
This rhetoric comes as federal law enforcement has clashed violently with protesters in multiple incidents, prompting further criticism of the administration’s escalation tactics.