LA protests live updates: Police order rioters to leave Downtown Los Angeles as shops are looted
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By MELISSA KOENIG FOR DAILYMAIL.COM
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Los Angeles has descended into chaos as residents protesting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents clashed with authorities for the third day in a row.
Rioters have blocked off roads and set self-driving cars on fire as police use tear gas, rubber bullets and flash bangs in attempts to control the crowd.
Sunday's protests in Los Angeles, a sprawling city of four million people, were centred in downtown several blocks.
It was the third and most intense day of demonstrations against Mr Trump's immigration crackdown in the region, as the arrival of around 300 Guard troops spurred anger and fear among many residents.
Follow the DailyMail.com's live blog for all the latest updates on the situation
LA rocked by violence as tensions rise on third day of ICE protests
If you're just joining us, Los Angeles has endured another day of violence and chaos as protests against Donald Trump's immigration crackdown on illegal migrants escalated on Sunday.
Demonstrations have taken place in the city for a third day in a row as Trump deployed the National Guard against the wishes of California governor Gavin Newsom.
Here's what you need you need to know:
Donald Trump has declared 'bring in the troops' and called for the arrest of anyone in face masks as violent clashes between federal law enforcement and protesters continue across Los Angeles
Rioters have set fire to driverless cars, looted stores, drove at lines of cops and created blockades to grind Downtown LA to a complete halt as chaos in the city stretches into its third day.
In one vicious attack, officers were trapped under an overpass on the 101 Freeway as they were hammered with fiery missiles and rocks from above while trying to extinguish flames engulfing several now-destroyed highway patrol cars.
Meanwhile authorities have rained down rubber bullets and tear gas on demonstrators as they march against President Trump 's crackdown on illegal migrants.
Trump earlier sent in 2,000 National Guard troops and placed 500 Marines on standby, while the LAPD has authorized the 'use of less lethal munitions' to regain control of the city.
The conflict has sparked a war of words between Trump and California Governor Gavin Newsom, who accused him of intentionally inflaming tensions.
Trump hit back with a Truth Social post on Sunday demanding both Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass apologize for the LA riots, insisting those involved are not 'peaceful protesters' as the duo had claimed, but instead 'troublemakers and insurrectionists.'
What sparked three days of protests in LA?
Donald Trump's crackdown of illegal migrants has resulted in now three days of protests across Los Angeles which has seen tensions escalate and boil over to the point of violence.
Last month, the Trump administration set a new demand for federal agents to arrest 3,000 people a day to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) leaders.
On Friday, tensions began to simmer in Los Angeles when 44 unauthorised immigrants were arrested in a single operation. while another 77 were taken in across LA County on the same day.
After the raids were carried out, the Federal Building in Downtown LA became the focal point for demonstrators protesting against the crackdown.
As protests continued into Saturday, Trump responded by deploying 2,000 National Guard members to the Los Angeles area - a move condemned by California's Governor Gavin Newsom and LA Mayor Karen Bass.
Self-driving cars torched during LA violence
At least five Waymo self-driving cars were set alight and vandalized, prompting an indefinite shutdown of Los Angeles St north of Arcadia, and south of Alameda amid safety concerns about the lithium batteries.
'Burning lithium-ion batteries release toxic gases, including hydrogen fluoride, posing risks to responders and those nearby,' authorities said.
One protester repeatedly smashed the driver side window of a Waymo which had been surrounded by demonstrators as flames engulfed another car nearby.
Waymo has now halted all services in and around the under-siege protest areas in an effort to protect the remainder of the fleet.
Each self driving robotaxi is estimated to be worth about $150,000.
Terrifying moment Aussie news reporter is shot by heavily-armed cops during LA riots
An Australian reporter was shot with a rubber bullet by riot police while covering the ongoing mass protests in Los Angeles.
US correspondent for Nine Lauren Tomasi was reporting on the 'rapidly deteriorating' riots in the city on Sunday evening, local time, when she was hit.
'The LAPD are moving in on horseback and firing rubber bullets at protesters,' Tomasi said.
As she told viewers the police were 'moving them (protesters) on through the heart of LA' several loud bangs were heard in the distance.
Just moments later a policeman was seen turning his gun towards Tomasi.
This is the moment California Governor Gavin Newsom challenged Donald Trump's border czar to 'come and arrest me'.
Tom Homan had described Newsom as an embarrassment to the state and warned 'it's a felony to impede law enforcement from doing their job.'
Newsom quickly hit back at Homan, daring the border czar to put him in handcuffs as the conflict descended into a childish tit-for-tat despite the crisis on his doorstep.
He told MSNBC last night:
Come and arrest me. Let's just get it over with, tough guy. I don't give a damn. He's a tough guy. Why doesn't he do that? He knows where to find me.
LAPD make 27 arrests during latest ICE protest
Police made a total of 27 arrests in Downtown Los Angeles, a police chief has told a nighttime press conference.
Jim McDonnell said the alleged crimes including throwing a Molotov cocktail at an officer and ramming a motorbike into a police line.
The majority of arrests were made by the California Highway Patrol while clearing protesters from the 101 Highway, while the LAPD made 10 arrests during scuffles downtown, Mr McDonnell added.
Police urge residents and businesses to report all looting
The Los Angeles Police Department has now encouraged all residents and businesses to report all cases of looting as it prepares an official police report.
Earlier we reported how businesses across Downtown Los Angeles had reported looting as the violent clashes entered its third day in the city.
Brit photographer undergoes emergency surgery after being shot during protests
A British news photographer has undergone emergency surgery after being hit by non-lethal rounds during protests in Los Angeles.
Nick Stern, who emigrated to the US in 2007, was documenting a stand-off between anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) protesters and police outside a Home Depot in Paramount, a city in LA county and a location known as a hiring spot for day labourers, when a 14mm “sponge bullet” tore into his thigh.
He told the PA news agency:
My initial concern was, were they firing live rounds? Some of the protesters came and helped me, and they ended up carrying me, and I noticed that there was blood pouring down my leg.
He was treated by a medic who urged him to go to hospital. At one point, Mr Stern says he passed out from the pain.
He is now recovering at Long Beach Memorial Medical Centre following emergency surgery.
LA protests in pictures
Looting reported in Downtown LA
Police have said businesses have reported looting in Downtown Los Angeles as officers are scrambled to investigate.
Multiple stars took to platforms such as Instagram amid news Trump ordered 2,000 troops with California’s National Guard to the area amid ongoing unrest, to the objection of California Governor Gavin Newsom.
A dramatic photograph showing a masked protester with a Mexican flag biking around a blazing car in Los Angeles has rapidly become a symbol of the anti-ICE riots in the California city.
An image of the flag-bearing protester went viral on social media on Sunday, along with drone footage of the scene, prompting a flood of rage from Republican lawmakers and right-wing media personalities who dubbed the riots anti-American.
Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, who has announced his candidacy for California governor in 2026, accused Kamala Harris and Gavin Newsom of gaslighting when they blamed Donald Trump for the riots in Los Angeles.
'President Trump didn't start these riots. He's not out there lighting cars on fire, hurling projectiles at law enforcement or blocking freeways. This statement is an embarrassment and does nothing to diffuse the violent riots taking place across the city,' Bianco wrote on social media.
He said that Democratic leaders the likes of Harris, Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass 'own this.'
Singer Finneas says he was tear gassed at riot
Singer-songwriter Finneas announced on social media that he was tear gassed at the riots Sunday night.
'Tear gassed almost immediately at the very peaceful protest downtown,' he wrote on Instagram.
'They're inciting this.'
FBI director doubles down on threat of arrests
FBI Director Kash Patel has doubled down on his threat of arrests.
'Just so we are clear, this FBI needs no one’s permission to enforce the constitution,' he wrote on X.
'My responsibility is to the American people, not political punch lines.
'LA is under siege by marauding criminals, and we will restore law and order,' Patel said.
'I’m not asking you, I’m telling you.'
Driver who 'aimed for protesters' is arrested
Among those who were taken into custody Sunday night was an unidentified driver that allegedly aimed for protesters multiple times as he drove in circles, NBC News reports.
When police then chased the van, the driver took off, struck a utility pole and fled.
But the driver was ultimately caught and arrested by LA Sheriff's Department deputies.
Trump calls on everyone in face masks to be arrested
In a series of late-night posts to his Truth Social page, President Donald Trump called for the arrest of any protesters wearing face masks in Los Angeles.
'ARREST THE PEOPLE IN FACE MASKS, NOW!' he wrote.
In another post, the president said the situation in the City of Angels is 'looking really bad' as he called to 'BRING IN THE TROOPS!!!'
Australian reporter caught in the crosshair
Video posted online showed an Australian journalist reporting live from the scene of the LA riots getting struck by a rubber bullet.
Lauren Tomasi was reporting about agents coming in on horseback and firing rubber bullets at the unruly crowd when she was shot in the back.
Newsom denies that law enforcement needed federal help - despite police chief's remarks
Gov. Gavin Newsom has once again denied that the Los Angeles Police Department needed any federal help - despite the police chief admitting 'This thing has gotten out of control' when asked if the National Guard was necessary.
'Let's get this straight: Local law enforcement didn't need help,' Newsom insisted on X, saying the president just sent the troops to 'manufacture chaos and violence.'
'Now things are destabilized and we need to send in more law enforcement just to clean up Trump’s mess.'
All of downtown LA is declared an 'unlawful assembly'
The Los Angeles Police Department announced that all of downtown Los Angeles is now officially an 'unlawful assembly.'
'You are to leave the Downtown Area immediately,' it warned.
'Agitators have splintered into and through out the Downtown Area. Residents, businesses and visitors to the Downtown Area should be alert and report any criminal activity.'
Nearby city cancels contract with ICE, Homeland Security
As the fiery protests continued on Sunday, officials in the nearby city of Glendale announced it was canceling its contract with Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Homeland Security to hold migrants at its jail, NBC Los Angeles reports.
'This local decision reflects our core values: public ssafety, transparency and community trust,' city officials said, noting that the police department 'does not enforce immigration laws and remains fullly compliant' with the state's sanctuary act.
Rioters reportedly attacking police horses
Rioters have reportedly started to attack police horses, according FOX News reporter Bill Melugin.
This comes after the police chief told reporters the rioters were 'shooting commercial grade fireworks at our officers.
'There is no limit as to what they’re doing to our officers right now,' he said at the news conference.
Los Angeles business community condemns National Guard deployment
The Los Angeles business community has released a statement condemning the deployment of the National Guard.
'As a diverse alliance of business leaders, we believe that public safety, economic stability and community truzt must be protected - not undermined by government actions,' the Los Angeles County Business Federation said.
'The introduction of heavily armed agents and military personnel has only escalated fear and instability in our communities,' it continued.
The group then went on to say 'ummigrants are vital to our economy and our communities.
'They provide key industries, start businesses and strengthen the fabric of our society.
'Heavy-handed enforcement tactics targeting working families and longtime residents threaten not only those directly impacted, but the broader economic and civic health of our region,' it concluded.
'We urge federal authorities to coordinate with local and state leaders, and we call on elected leaders at every level to advance real solutions: fair, humane immigration reforms that reflect our values, strengthen our workforce and protect human dignity.'
Nearly 60 people arrested
Nearly 60 people have been arrested as of Sunday night, the LAPD confirmed.
At least one person was apprehended after allegedly throwing a Molotov cocktail.
More than 20 people were apprehended on Saturday.
DA will file felony charges, LAPD confirms
The Los Angeles District Attorney's Office will file felony charges against any protester accused of attacking officers, the LAPD confirmed Sunday night.
'I think people will be surprised in some cases about what will happen to their future,' the chief said.
Terrifying scenes emerge from Los Angeles
Terrifying videos have emerged from the scene of the Los Angeles riots.
LAPD confirms fireworks, cinder blocks thrown at officers
The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed on Sunday night that fireworks and cinder blocks were thrown at officers.
'There's no limit to what they're doing to our officers,' officials announced.
LAPD notes it does not coordinate with ICE
At a news conference Sunday night, the Los Angeles Police Department noted that it does not cooperate with ICE offiicals.
However, they said they will act whenever law enforcement agents of any kind are attacked.
Highway 101 is shut down again
The Los Angeles Police Department has confirmed Highway 101 has been shut down again 'due to demonstrators throwing objects' into the southbound lanes and 'damaging multiple police vehicles.'
Videos posted online showed masked rioters lighting tinder and throwing it at demolished police vehicles under an underpass.
Gov. Gavin Newsom has responded to a threat from Trump's border czar Tom Homan, who threatened to arrest the California governor.
'He's a tough guy. Why doesn't he do that? He knows where to find me,' the governor told MSNBC.
'Lay your hands off four year old girls that are trying to get educated. Come and arrest me.
'Let’s just get it over with tough guy. I don’t give a damn,' he said.
California to sue Trump administration for National Guard deployment, lt. gov says
California Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis told CNN Sunday night she expects state officials to file a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration on Monday over the federalization and deployment of the National Guard
'I believe that we are likely going to see a lawsuit tomorrow recognizing that [Trump] did not have the authority to call in the National Guard for 400 people protesting in a way that local law enforcement could clearly handle it,' Kounalakis said.
Newsom sits in command with LAPD and LA Sheriff's Office
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has posted a photo of him sitting with Los Angeles Police Department and LA Sheriff's Office officials to discuss the ongoing situation.
Joined @LAPDHQ, @LASDHQ, and state emergency officials in LA as we respond to protests provoked by chaos from Washington,' he posted on X.
'We’re here to keep the peace — not play into Trump’s political games.'
Waymo suspends service
Waymo has officially suspended service in Los Angeles after at least five were set on fire.
'We will not be serving any rides in the protest area until it is deemed safe,' a Waymo spokesperson told NBC News.
Trump says Newsom and Bass should 'apologize'
President Donald Trump has once again hit out at California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass for the ongoing riots, saying they should 'apologize' to the public.
'Governor Gavin Newscum and “Mayor” Bass should apologize to the people of Los Angeles for the absolutely horrible job that they have done, and this now includes the ongoing L.A. riots,' he wrote.
'These are not protesters, they are troublemakers and insurrectionists,' the president wrote of the rioters.
'Remember, NO MASKS!'
California senator claims Trump called on the National Guard to stop protesters from distracting his 'big, beautiful bill'
U.S. Senator Alex Padilla suggested to the LA Times President Donald Trump only deployed the National Guard to the scene because he was upset the protests were distracting from his spending bill.
'Keep protesting because Donald Trump would love for everybody to sit back quietly while he continues to overreach, to bring cruelty to every corner of America and violate the law,' the California Democrat urgeed the rioters.
'What he is doing is classic Donald Trump. He is trying to deflect and distract,' Padilla said of Trump’s 'big beautiful bill.'
LAPD warns it has protesters on camera
They reported hearing helicopter fly over the crowd, while announcing: 'I have all of you on camera. I’m going to come to your house.'
Demonstrators blocking streets
Rioters have set up a blockade near Temple and Main Street, the Los Angeles Police Department announced.
'Demonstrators are using chairs, garbage bins and other items to blockade the street,' it said.
'Leave the area!!'
LAPD warns of effects of burning lithium ion batteries
In an effort to get people to avoid Los Angeles Street, the LAPD has warned about the effects of burning lithium ion batteries.
'Burning lithium-ion batteries release toxic gases, including hydrogen fluoride, posing risks to responders and those nearby,' it said.
'Please avoid the area.'
LAPD reportedly calling on Waymo to shut down app
The Los Angeles Police Department is reportedly calling on Waymo to shut down its app in the city.
Officers are saying people are calling for a car just to set them on fire.
Waymo fires shut down road
Protesters who have set Waymo self-driving taxis on fire have shut down roads, the Los Angeles Police Department announced.
It said Los Angeles Street, north of Arcadia, is 'closed indefinitely due to demonstrators igniting multiple autonomous vehicles on fire.'
Signs reading 'Abolish ICE' and 'Immigrants are the heart of LA' at LAFC's Sunday night game against Sporting Kansas City.
FBI Deputy Director issues stern warning
FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino offered a stern warning to protesters Sunday evening, writing: 'We will be investigating and pursuing all available leads for assault on a federal officer, in addition to the many arrests already made.
'And, although we’ll pursue every case, we don’t need to catch every single perp, we just need to catch you.'
He then announced that the bureau is using all investigative and technological tools to pursue perps even after order is 'firmly established.'
'We will not forget. Even after you try to.'
Waymos destroyed in City of Angels
Protesters have taken aim at Waymo self-driving taxis during their riots, setting them on fire and spraying them with graffiti.
Videos posted online showed at least four of the vehicles burning Sunday night.
FBI asking for information on one protester
The feds have put at least one protester in Los Angeles on the Most Wanted List, they announced Sunday night.
Authorities say the unidentified suspect threw rocks at law enforcement vehicles during the protests in Paramount on Saturday, injuring one federal officer and damaging vehicles.
The bureau is now offering $50,000 for any information that leads to his arrest.
Highway 101 is able to reopen
California Highway Patrol has announced that Highway 101 is able to reopened.
It had been closed since the afternoon, when at least 2,000 protesters they commandeered both sides of the road, grinding traffic to a complete halt.
LA mayor says she tried to prevent National Guard from coming into city
At a news conference Sunday night, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said she had tried to warn the Trump administration that if it deployed the National Guard 'it would create a sense of chaos.'
'It’s the last thing our city needs,' she said, claiming that 'what we're seeing in L.A. is chaos caused by the administration.'
Waymo catches fire as protester celebrates
Video posted online shows a Waymo self-driving car burning, and a protester carrying a Mexican flag jumping on its hood.
Man shot with 'less-lethal projectile' in nose
A man at the scene of the Los Angeles riots was shot 'right in the middle of his nose bridge' by a less-lethal police projectile, a witness told NBC News.
The man was reportedly left with a four-inch laceration that went as deep as the bone.
'It had to have been targeted because, as you can see, every single canister has been deliberately shot into the air,' Dario DeLeon told the station. 'That was the first one that actually was aimed at us, and it hit him right in the face.”
DeLeon said that he didn't see the shot being fired but that he saw the recoil and the man hitting the ground. He said it took a water bottle and the help of some other people to get the man back to his feet, all while police were shooting more rounds at the crowd.
The man was gushing blood, DeLeon said, which left him with blood all over his hands and his pants from helping out.
500 Marines are on standby
There are 500 United States Marines on 'prepared to deploy status' to the scene of the Los Angeles protests under the order of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, ABC News reports.
California Gov. Newsom has previously called the threat of Marines at the scene 'deranged behavior,' which Hegseth responded to on Sunday morning.
'Deranged=Allowing your city to burn & law enforcement to be attacked,' he wrote, adding: 'The National Guard, and Marines if need be, stand with ICE.'
Democratic governors declare Trump is abusing his power
More than 20 Democratic governors have signed onto a statement declaring that President Trump has abused his power in calling the National Guard to the scene of the LA riots.
They also said his threat to send US Marines into the city 'undermines the mission of our service members, erodes public trust and shows the Trump administration does not trust local law enforcement.
'It’s important we respect the executive authority of our country’s governors to manage their National Guards — and we stand with Gov. Newsom who has made it clear that violence is unacceptable and that local authorities should be able to do their jobs without the chaos of this federal interference and intimidation.'
Two LAPD officers injured
Two police officers were injured when two motorcyclists tried to breach a skirmish line, the LAPD announced.
The officers are now being treated at the scene, and the two motorcyclists were taken into custody.
Kamala Harris hits out at Trump
Former Vice President Kamala Harris has released her own statement condemning the president for deploying the National Guard, which she called a 'dangerous escalation.'
'In addition to the recent ICE raids in Southern California and across our nation, it is part of the Trump administration's cruel, calculated agenda to spread panic and division,' she wrote.
The one-time Democratic presidential nominee then went on to express her support for the protests - which she called 'overwhelmingly peaceful.'
Newsom - who has been sniping with Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth all weekend - is attempting to wrangle back control in a formal request to Hegseth sent Sunday.
'This is a serious breach of state sovereignty - inflaming tensions while pulling resources from where they're actually needed,' Newsom said in a statement to X, calling the deployment 'unlawful.'
'Rescind the order. Return control to California.'
He also outrageously claimed that the state 'didn't have a problem until Trump got involved.'
President Donald Trump has vowed to restore order and 'liberate Los Angeles' from illegal aliens which have 'invaded and occupied a once great American city.'
A combined effort led by Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and Attorney General Pam Bondi will restore order, Trump said.
He has directed his key personnel to 'to take all such action necessary to liberate Los Angeles from the migrant Invasion, and put an end to these migrant riots.
'Order will be restored, the Illegals will be expelled, and Los Angeles will be set free,' Trump wrote on Truth Social on Sunday afternoon.
Los Angeles is under siege as rioters seize control of the 101 Freeway and ramp up violent clashes with the National Guard, LAPD and immigration officials in response to President Trump's efforts to track down and arrest illegal migrants.
Authorities revealed Sunday afternoon that rioters had shut down the 101 Freeway both southbound and northbound after they stormed the road en masse.
Extraordinary photos shows at least 2,000 protesters as they commandeered both sides of the road, grinding traffic to a complete halt as they march down the streets waving flags and holding signs high above their heads.
Motorists stuck on the unmoving freeway are being instructed to turn around in an effort to clear the traffic, as even more rioters gather on overpasses and ramps.
LAPD authorizes use of 'less lethal munitions' against rioters
A helicopter swarming overhead the Metropolitan Detention Center has warned rioters: 'This is an unlawful assembly.'
The Los Angeles Police Department reiterated that message on social media, and announced the department has authorized the 'use of less lethal munitions.'
'All persons must leave the area or be subject to arrest,' the LAPD Central Division wrote on X.
'Persons throwing items at officrs will be detained and arrested.'
