National Guard troops faced off with protesters in Los Angeles as tear gas was fired at a growing crowd outside a federal complex hours after the federal troops arrived in the city on President Donald Trump’s orders. The confrontation broke out Sunday in front of the Metropolitan Detention Center in downtown Los Angeles as a group of demonstrators shouted insults at members of the guard lined shoulder to shoulder behind plastic riot shields. Around 300 National Guard troops had arrived early Sunday on orders from President Donald Trump following two days of clashes with immigration authorities.
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A protester is seen as two Waymo taxis burn near the metropolitan detention center of downtown Los Angeles, Sunday, June 8, 2025, following last night’s immigration raid protest. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) -
A protester vandalizes a Waymo taxi as another burns near the metropolitan detention center of downtown Los Angeles, Sunday, June 8, 2025, following last night’s immigration raid protest. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) -
Police are seen on tone side ofhe 101 Freeway and protesters on the other near the metropolitan detention center of downtown Los Angeles, Sunday, June 8, 2025, following last night’s immigration raid protest. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer) -
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 8: ICE officers and national guards confront with protesters outside of the Metropolitan Detention Center in Los Angeles, California on June 8, 2025 amid protests over immigration raids. (Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images) -
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 8: Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agents take security measures as protests and confrontations between immigration rights supporters and law enforcement continue in Paramount, California, and downtown Los Angeles, California, United States on June 8, 2025. (Photo by Taurat Hossain/Anadolu via Getty Images) -
Protesters block the 101 Freeway near the metropolitan detention center of downtown Los Angeles, Sunday, June 8, 2025, following last night’s immigration raid protest. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer) -
A man skateboards on the 101 Freeway as protesters are seen on an overpass near the metropolitan detention center of downtown Los Angeles, Sunday, June 8, 2025, following last night’s immigration raid protest. (AP Photo/Jae Hong) -
Maribel Parra screams as protesters confront a line of police near the metropolitan detention center of downtown Los Angeles, Sunday, June 8, 2025, following last night’s immigration raid protest. (AP Photo/Jae Hong) -
Protesters are seen on the 101 Freeway near the metropolitan detention center of downtown Los Angeles, Sunday, June 8, 2025, following last night’s immigration raid protest. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer) -
Protesters are seen on the 101 Freeway near the metropolitan detention center of downtown Los Angeles, Sunday, June 8, 2025, following last night’s immigration raid protest. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer) -
Protesters are seen on the 101 Freeway near the metropolitan detention center of downtown Los Angeles, Sunday, June 8, 2025, following last night’s immigration raid protest. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer) -
Police are seen through smoke on the 101 Freeway near the metropolitan detention center of downtown Los Angeles, Sunday, June 8, 2025, following last night’s immigration raid protest. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer) -
A protester throws a smoke canister on the 101 Freeway near the metropolitan detention center of downtown Los Angeles, Sunday, June 8, 2025, following last night’s immigration raid protest. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer) -
Protesters are seen through smoke near the metropolitan detention center of downtown Los Angeles, Sunday, June 8, 2025, following last night’s immigration raid protest. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) -
Protesters confront police on the 101 Freeway near the metropolitan detention center of downtown Los Angeles, Sunday, June 8, 2025, following last night’s immigration raid protest. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) -
Protesters confront police on the 101 Freeway near the metropolitan detention center of downtown Los Angeles, Sunday, June 8, 2025, following last night’s immigration raid protest. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) -
Protesters confront police on the 101 Freeway near the metropolitan detention center of downtown Los Angeles, Sunday, June 8, 2025, following last night’s immigration raid protest. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) -
A protester stands on a burning Waymo taxi near the metropolitan detention center of downtown Los Angeles, Sunday, June 8, 2025, following last night’s immigration raid protest. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer) -
A Waymo is vandalized while another burns near the metropolitan detention center of downtown Los Angeles, Sunday, June 8, 2025, following last night’s immigration raid protest. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
By midday, hundreds had gathered outside the Metropolitan Detention Center in downtown Los Angeles, where people were detained after earlier immigration raids. Protesters directed chants of “shame” and “go home” at members of the National Guard, who stood shoulder to shoulder, carrying long guns and riot shields.
After some protesters closely approached the guard members, another set of uniformed officers advanced on the group, shooting smoke-filled canisters into the street.
Minutes later, the Los Angeles Police Department fired rounds of crowd-control munitions to disperse the protesters, who they said were assembled unlawfully. Much of the group then moved to block traffic on the 101 freeway until California Highway Patrol officers cleared them from the roadway by late afternoon.
