BREAKING NEWS
Streets on Fire — And Not Just Metaphorically
Downtown LA has become ground zero. Protesters filled the streets around the Metropolitan Detention Center and City Hall. Tear gas, flashbangs, rubber bullets—all deployed. Crowds blocked the 101 Freeway. Waymo cars were set on fire. And the chaos has spread citywide—Compton, Paramount, Westlake, even Boyle Heights are seeing clashes.
Press Photographers and Reporters Shot
A journalist from 9News Australia, Lauren Tomasi, was struck by a rubber bullet while covering protests. A separate press photographer was also shot—though it remains unclear whether it was with live rounds or rubber bullets.
“This incident serves as a stark reminder of the inherent dangers journalists can face while reporting from the frontlines,” 9News said in a statement.
Sen. Padilla: “This Is a Distraction From His Failed Agenda”
Senator Alex Padilla wrote on X:
“Donald Trump is intentionally creating chaos and sowing division in our communities… It’s all a distraction from his failed agenda. And it won’t work.”
He's not alone. Local and national Democrats are accusing Trump of using ICE raids and troop deployments as a political circus act.
Trump’s Truth Social Meltdown
Trump’s posts have gone from inflammatory to militaristic:
“Governor Gavin Newscum and ‘Mayor’ Bass should apologize… These are not protesters, they are troublemakers and insurrectionists. Remember, NO MASKS!”
“Paid Insurrectionists!”
“Don’t let these thugs get away with this. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!”
“Looking really bad in L.A. BRING IN THE TROOPS!!!”
“ARREST THE PEOPLE IN FACE MASKS, NOW!”
This isn’t presidential rhetoric—it’s a man fanning the flames of militarized crackdown with all caps.
Trump’s Legal Excuse: Title 10
Trump claims he used Title 10 of the U.S. Code to justify deploying the National Guard. But there’s a catch: Title 10 requires cooperation through the state’s governor—and Newsom didn’t approve it.
Title 10 also states federal troops may only act to:
Suppress rebellion
Protect federal personnel and property
Not engage in general law enforcement
Meanwhile:
500 Marines at Camp Pendleton are ready to roll at a moment’s notice
LAPD Chief McDonnell confirmed this was a top-down federal command, not a measured local request
Trump’s memo claims the Guard is there to "protect ICE and federal law enforcement." But experts and Newsom call it a power grab.
Marines Standing By — Ready to Deploy
About 500 Marines from Twentynine Palms are on "prepared to deploy" status. They're waiting on a green light from the administration. Newsom called this “deranged,” warning that active-duty troops should not be policing U.S. civilians.
Kamala Harris Chimes In
“Deploying the National Guard is a dangerous escalation meant to provoke chaos,” said former VP and L.A. resident Kamala Harris. She accused Trump of using fear tactics as a calculated weapon in his “cruel, calculated agenda to spread panic”—not protect citizens
Newsom: “Trump Must Stand Down”
California Governor Gavin Newsom didn’t hold back:
“Donald Trump has manufactured a crisis and is inflaming conditions.
If he can’t solve it, we will.
Trump is using you as an excuse to militarize a city and circumvent our democracy.
He needs to pull back. He needs to stand down.”
LAPD Says: We're Not ICE. We’re Not Backing Trump.
At a press conference, LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell clarified:
LAPD supports peaceful protest and the First Amendment
They do not coordinate with ICE on civil immigration matters
No “two-hour delay” in responding to federal aid—hazardous tear gas conditions and crowd size were to blame
LAPD treats every Angelino with respect, regardless of immigration status
The violence has been “disgusting”—with people shooting commercial-grade fireworks at officers
He described some instigators as “anarchists”, while still affirming that protest is not the enemy
“Our job is not to divide communities or politicize law enforcement. Our job is to keep everyone safe.”
“Looking at the violence tonight, we may have to reassess [the Guard deployment], but this should never have come top-down.”
Why This Isn’t Just a Protest
This is bigger than L.A. This is the federal government steamrolling state authority, militarizing dissent, and calling protesters criminals without cause. The mask of “law and order” is slipping—and underneath it is raw political control.
06/09/2025
Photos & Videos
Protester shot in the head with a rubber bullet.