In June 2025, Los Angeles became a flashpoint for protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids targeting undocumented immigrants, prompting President Donald Trump to deploy 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 U.S. Marines to the city. The move, criticized by California Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass as unlawful and inflammatory, has escalated tensions, with clashes involving tear gas, rubber bullets, and arrests. Concurrently, Trump’s legal team is appealing his May 2024 conviction on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in the hush money case involving payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels. The appeal hearing, set for June 11, 2025, in Manhattan, argues the case should be moved to federal court, though prior attempts have failed. These events highlight Trump’s polarizing second term, blending immigration crackdowns with ongoing legal battles.
Military in LA Amid Protests; Trump Hush Money Case Update
June 12, 2025 – Los Angeles is grappling with a heavy military presence as protests against federal immigration raids enter their sixth day, while President Donald Trump’s appeal in his hush money conviction unfolds in New York. Here’s a detailed look at both developments, their implications, and public sentiment.
Military Deployment in Los Angeles: Protests and Tensions
Since June 6, 2025, ICE raids targeting workplaces like Home Depot stores and garment factories in Los Angeles have sparked widespread protests, particularly in Paramount, Compton, and downtown LA. The demonstrations, fueled by opposition to Trump’s immigration crackdown, have led to:
- Clashes and Arrests: Over 118 arrests were reported, including 44 on June 6, with protesters facing tear gas, rubber bullets, and flash-bang grenades. Some threw fireworks and bottles, and Waymo self-driving cars were set ablaze, prompting the company to suspend downtown services.
- Military Escalation: Trump federalized 4,000 California National Guard troops and deployed 700 Marines from Camp Pendleton, citing “lawlessness” and the need to protect ICE agents and federal buildings. The Pentagon estimates costs at $134 million.
- Local Opposition: Governor Newsom, suing the Trump administration, called the deployment “dictatorial” and a violation of state sovereignty, filing for a temporary restraining order (denied June 10). Mayor Bass imposed a downtown curfew on June 10, condemning the military presence as a “deliberate attempt” to sow chaos.
Key Details:
- Protests: Demonstrators, many waving Mexican flags, chanted “ICE out of LA!” and “No hate, no fear, immigrants are welcome here.” Some protests turned violent, with businesses in Little Tokyo and the Jewelry District vandalized.
- Legal Concerns: Trump’s use of a presidential memo to bypass Newsom’s authority, without invoking the Insurrection Act, raises constitutional questions. Legal experts note the Posse Comitatus Act limits military involvement in domestic law enforcement unless specific conditions are met.
- X Sentiment: Posts on X reflect division. @TCNetworkFans reported “peaceful violence” and property damage, while @BillowKerrow criticized police tactics. @johnkunza clarified only 300 Guard troops were initially deployed, countering claims of 2,000.
Why It Matters: The deployment, the largest since the 1992 LA riots, risks escalating tensions in a city with a significant Latino population (over 80% in Paramount). Newsom warned of a broader threat to democracy, suggesting Trump’s order could apply nationwide.
Trump Hush Money Case: Appeal Hearing
On June 11, 2025, Trump’s legal team appeared in a Manhattan federal appeals court to challenge his May 2024 conviction on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to conceal a $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election. Key points:
- Conviction Details: Trump was found guilty of orchestrating the payment to silence Daniels, who alleged a sexual encounter. The judge ruled he would face no prison time due to his presidency, but the conviction remains on his record.
- Appeal Argument: Trump’s lawyers cite a law allowing federal officials to move cases involving in-office conduct to federal court. However, the payment predates his presidency, weakening this claim. Two prior attempts to relocate the case failed.
- Current Status: The appeal’s outcome is pending, with no clear timeline. The case continues to polarize, with Trump framing it as a “witch hunt” on Truth Social, while prosecutors uphold the jury’s verdict.
Why It Matters: The appeal tests Trump’s legal strategy amid multiple investigations, potentially shaping his 2025 political narrative. X users like @Independent_ie linked the LA protests to Trump’s broader controversies, including his legal battles.
Connecting the Events
The LA protests and Trump’s hush money appeal underscore his administration’s tumultuous second term. The military deployment, justified as protecting federal functions, aligns with Trump’s hardline immigration stance, while the appeal reflects efforts to mitigate legal fallout from his first campaign. Both issues fuel accusations of authoritarianism, with Senator Bernie Sanders warning on CNN of a “rapid move toward authoritarianism.”
What’s Next?
- LA Protests: Further demonstrations are planned, with Newsom’s lawsuit set for a hearing on June 12. The Senate is debating Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” which could influence immigration policy.
- Hush Money Case: The appeal’s outcome could affect Trump’s legal standing, though his presidency shields him from immediate penalties.
