Protests Expand Nationwide despite Trump Threats
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Protests against US President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement tactics spread across major cities on Wednesday, as California prepared for a court battle over the deployment of federal troops.
More than 1,000 people gathered for a sixth day of demonstrations in Los Angeles, marching peacefully through the city streets.
A second night of curfew was enforced as officials attempted to contain nighttime vandalism and looting affecting parts of the 500-square-mile city.
“I would say for the most part everything is hunky dory right here at Ground Zero,” said Lynn Sturgis, 66, a retired school teacher.
“Our city is not at all on fire, it’s not burning down, as our terrible leader is trying to tell you.”
The protests were triggered by an abrupt intensification in efforts to detain undocumented migrants.
While mostly nonviolent, the unrest included incidents such as burning self-driving taxis and rocks thrown at officers, according to the Los Angeles Police Department, which has 8,500 personnel.
In Spokane, Washington, authorities imposed a night curfew after arresting over 30 protesters and using pepper balls to break up gatherings, Police Chief Kevin Hall said.
Trump, who campaigned on a promise to crack down on illegal immigration, ordered the deployment of the California National Guard over Governor Gavin Newsom’s objections—marking the first such presidential action in decades.
“We’re going to have a safe country,” Trump told reporters before attending a performance of Les Miserables in Washington.
“We’re not going to have what would have happened in Los Angeles. Remember, if I wasn’t there... Los Angeles would have been burning to the ground.”
Roughly 1,000 of the 4,700 troops assigned were active on duty, securing locations and working with ICE agents, said Scott Sherman, Deputy Commanding General of Army North.
Another 700 Marines were in preparation or training for civil unrest response.
The Pentagon estimated the operation’s cost at $134 million.
Governor Newsom, considered a likely 2028 presidential contender, accused Trump of deliberately escalating the situation for political benefit.
He warned Tuesday that the troop deployment could extend beyond California, calling it evidence that “democracy is under assault right before our eyes.”
California’s legal team was expected in court Thursday to block military participation in immigration arrests.
The Trump administration dismissed the suit as a “crass political stunt.”
Protests continued to gain momentum despite Trump’s warnings of expanded National Guard deployments to Democratic-led states.
Demonstrations were held in cities including St. Louis, Raleigh, Manhattan, Indianapolis, and Denver.
In San Antonio, hundreds protested near city hall, where Texas Governor Greg Abbott, a Republican, had authorized National Guard deployment.
A national “No Kings” demonstration was planned for Saturday in Washington, coinciding with a rare military parade organized for the 250th anniversary of the US Army—also Trump’s 79th birthday.
Federal officials described the protests as a violent threat requiring military support.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, however, blamed the Trump administration for the unrest.
“A week ago, everything was peaceful in the city of Los Angeles,” she said.
“Things began to be difficult on Friday when raids took place... that is the cause of the problems.
This was provoked by the White House.”
Detentions by masked, armed men continued Wednesday.
In Downey, a pastor said five out-of-state men armed with rifles detained a Spanish-speaking individual in a church parking lot.
When the pastor asked for their identification, the men refused and threatened her.
“They did point their rifle at me and said, ‘You need to get back,’” Lopez told KTLA.
