Violent protests erupted in Los Angeles following workplace arrests initiated by federal immigration authorities, drawing a controversial response from the federal government.

In response to the protests, President Donald Trump has sent more National Guard members and Marines to the city, a decision that has sparked significant criticism, as Fox News reports.

The unrest began after immigration raids on June 6 led to over 40 arrests, which sparked immediate backlash in the city's streets.

Los Angeles witnessed an escalation in violence over subsequent days, prompting swift action from the federal government.

Federal deployment draws mixed reactions

On Sunday, Trump ordered an additional 2,000 National Guard members to aid in quelling the unrest. This came after an initial deployment of 2,000 Guard troops, marking June 8 as the most tumultuous day of protests so far.

Subsequently, 700 Marines were sent on Monday to provide reinforcement to the already positioned National Guard personnel. This move, however, met logistical challenges and criticism from local leaders.

Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell expressed concerns over the lack of coordination with the sudden deployment of Marines, highlighting the operational difficulties it posed.

State leaders react

California Gov. Gavin Newsom was quick to vocalize his disapproval, terming the deployment as reckless and disrespectful towards the troops. Newsom's comments reflected a broader discontent among California leadership regarding the federal intervention.

Alongside Newsom, California Attorney General Rob Bonta took legal action by filing a lawsuit against Trump's decision. He questioned the use of the National Guard and raised serious concerns about the implications for state sovereignty.

Bonta's legal pursuit seeks a court order to deem the deployment unlawful while also working toward a restraining order to prevent ongoing and future deployments into the state.

Shift in demonstration's tone

The city of Los Angeles witnessed something of a shift from the weekend's violence to slightly more peaceful expressions of dissent as the week began.

By Monday, protesters had organized additional rallies, notably converging at City Hall to voice their concerns.

While some parts of the city experienced a progressively less heated atmosphere, unrest had previously seen significant crowd confrontations and damage to property, highlighting the severe tension that had initially erupted.

Beyond Los Angeles, the demonstrations extended to other cities, including San Francisco, Santa Ana, Dallas, and Austin, with similar motivations driving the protests.

President defends intervention

Trump has defended the deployments, stating that without federal intervention, Los Angeles would have been "completely obliterated." His remarks underscored the belief in the necessity of the federal response despite the backlash it received.

The federal government's intervention in Los Angeles has become a focal point of contention, especially concerning the balance of power between state and federal jurisdictions.

City officials and state leaders remain divided over the federal approach, highlighting a complex dynamic of politics and governance in addressing civil unrest.