Credit: CBS Media outlet Protesters march in downtown Los Angeles during demonstrations against ICE raids and the National Guard, June 2025.
By PeanutsChoice | CitizenOfEurope.com | June 15, 2025
Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes
Los Angeles has just lived through one of its most turbulent weeks in years—a boiling point where immigration policy, police militarization, and press freedom collided in the streets. Here’s what happened, and why it matters far beyond California.
Sunday, June 8 – It Begins: Title 10 Troops Deployed Without State Consent
President Donald Trump activated Title 10 of the U.S. Code, deploying thousands of active-duty military personnel to Los Angeles without Governor Gavin Newsom’s consent. Newsom had explicitly refused to activate the National Guard. The move—intended to assist ICE with mass immigration raids—sparked immediate controversy.
Legal context: Unlike Title 32, which requires state approval, Title 10 places troops under direct federal control. Legal scholars argue that this undermines constitutional limits on federal power and dangerously blurs the line between military and civilian policing.
Monday, June 9 – The Streets Respond: “No Kings” Protests Erupt
Thousands of Angelenos flooded downtown Los Angeles under the rallying cry “No Kings” to protest what many saw as a creeping shift toward autocracy. Protesters blocked intersections, gathered outside federal buildings, and demanded an immediate halt to the raids.
By nightfall, clashes broke out. Protesters armed with signs and megaphones faced off against federal troops clad in riot gear. Drones patrolled overhead. LAPD presence appeared minimal—some officers claimed to be “following federal lead.”
“I haven’t seen this much tension since 2020,” said Karla Mendez, a Boyle Heights teacher handing out water. “This isn’t just about ICE. It’s about power.”
Tuesday, June 10 – CNN’s Jason Carroll Detained
CNN reporter Jason Carroll was briefly detained by LAPD while covering the protests. Though not handcuffed, he was escorted with his hands behind his back—and visibly credentialed. The footage went viral, raising alarms about press freedoms in militarized zones.
Legal implications: First Amendment experts called the detention “chilling.” Media watchdogs noted that the right to report from public protest zones is foundational to democracy.
Wednesday, June 11 – Schools and Services Disrupted
Several LAUSD schools closed due to safety concerns. City Hall shifted to emergency operations. Public transit delays mounted, and sanitation workers halted collection in affected districts. Community groups stepped in, setting up mutual aid hubs that distributed water, medical kits, and food.
Thursday, June 12 – Civil Rights Lawsuits Filed
The ACLU, SPLC, and California Civil Rights Coalition filed emergency injunctions in federal court, challenging the legality of Trump’s Title 10 deployment. They argue the order violates both the Posse Comitatus Act and state constitutional protections against federal overreach.
Friday, June 13 – International Headlines Shift Focus
News of Israeli strikes on Iran briefly eclipsed coverage of the L.A. unrest. Still, protests continued. Organizers began linking both conflicts as signs of global democratic erosion.
Saturday, June 14 – “No Kings” March Swells
Over 60,000 people marched through Echo Park and Downtown LA in one of the largest protests since the George Floyd uprisings. Despite surveillance drones and visible riot control units, the event remained largely peaceful.
Notable signs:
- “Democracy Doesn’t Need a Commander-in-Chief”
- “We’re Not Subjects. We’re Citizens.”
- “Title 10 = Martial Law Lite”
Solidarity protests also erupted in Oakland and Phoenix.
Sunday, June 15 – Rumblings Inside the National Guard
As the federal deployment stretches into its second week, tensions may be building behind the scenes.
There are currently no confirmed reports of National Guard officers refusing orders, but civil liberties groups and defense analysts have raised concerns over the Guard’s long-term willingness to remain aligned with federal directives in politically charged contexts.
Legal experts note that if internal dissent were to surface—formally or informally—it could spark a constitutional standoff between state leadership and Washington.
Governor Newsom has not commented on whether such tensions exist. However, watchdogs are monitoring internal morale within the Guard as political pressure continues to mount.
What Is Title 10?
Title 10 of the U.S. Code gives the President authority to deploy active-duty troops under federal command, without a governor’s approval. This contrasts with Title 32, which requires state consent. Critics argue Title 10 deployment inside U.S. borders threatens civilian control and state sovereignty.
Why This Matters
This week, Los Angeles became a frontline in the battle over civilian rights, federal overreach, and democratic norms. What began as a tactical operation is now a full-blown constitutional crisis with national implications.
“This isn’t about immigration anymore. It’s about whether we still have a democracy,” said Malik Green, a protester in Westlake.
Sources
- CNN Footage: Jason Carroll Detainment – June 10, 2025
- Legal Analysis: Brennan Center for Justice; Heritage Foundation; SPLC
- Court Filings: PACER, ACLU.org
- Field Reports: PeanutsChoice on site, June 9–15
- LA Times: Verified memo leak from California National Guard, June 15, 2025
Disclaimer
This article was fact-checked as of June 15, 2025. Future developments may shift the legal and political context.
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