LOS ANGELES, CA – On July 4, 2025, a tense standoff unfolded in downtown Los Angeles as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) declared an unlawful assembly near a federal building, marking a significant escalation in ongoing protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations. The scene, captured in a video shared by social media user Brian Krassenstein, showed a large contingent of National Guard troops and law enforcement officers facing off against protesters, with the situation described as volatile by eyewitnesses.
The protests, which began earlier in June in response to President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement policies, have seen multiple days of clashes, with law enforcement deploying tear gas and crowd-control measures. Protesters have engaged in disruptive activities, including blocking streets and throwing projectiles, leading to over 575 arrests since the unrest started, according to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD).
President Trump’s decision to deploy nearly 5,000 California National Guard troops and 700 U.S. Marines to the Los Angeles area under federal control, rather than state authority, has been a focal point of contention. This move, authorized under Title 10 of the United States Code, allows the federal government to take command of state National Guard units during emergencies. The deployment came despite objections from California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who argued that local authorities had the situation under control.
Legal challenges have arisen over the federalization of the National Guard, with appellate stays ensuring that the troops remain under federal command. The use of Title 10 authority marks a significant shift in the federal response to civil unrest, contrasting with practices under previous administrations, where such deployments were less common.
The video from July 4 shows a heavily armed presence of National Guard troops in camouflage and LAPD officers in riot gear, facing a crowd of protesters holding signs and chanting. The atmosphere was charged, with reports of verbal confrontations and the potential for further escalation. The DHS’s declaration of an unlawful assembly is part of a broader strategy to manage the protests, which have been described as the most intense since the immigration raids began.
This incident occurs against the backdrop of Los Angeles being a sanctuary city, where local ordinances, such as the California Values Act (SB 54), limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. The tension between federal and local authorities has been palpable, with protests centered around the federal building symbolizing broader resistance to Trump’s immigration policies.
As the situation continues to unfold, the deployment of federal troops and the declaration of unlawful assemblies highlight the complex interplay between federal authority, state rights, and civil liberties in the context of immigration enforcement and public protest. The coming days will likely see further developments as both sides navigate this contentious landscape.