LA Protests Far Different from ’92 Rodney King Riots

June 11, 2025

President Donald Trump has deployed 4,100 National Guard troops and 700 Marines to Los Angeles in response to immigration enforcement protests, despite opposition from Mayor Karen Bass and Governor Gavin Newsom. The current demonstrations, primarily peaceful and confined to a small downtown area, have resulted in over 100 arrests, some vandalism, and burned vehicles, but are significantly smaller in scale compared to the deadly 1992 Los Angeles riots following the Rodney King verdict. California officials are legally challenging Trump's use of the Insurrection Act, with Attorney General Rob Bonta filing a lawsuit claiming presidential overreach and Governor Newsom seeking an emergency court order to prevent troops from assisting with immigration raids.

Who is affected

Protesters demonstrating against immigration enforcement
Los Angeles residents, particularly in the downtown area
Law enforcement officers who have sustained minor injuries
Journalists struck by "less-lethal" munitions
Immigrants who may be targeted by ICE raids
California government officials opposing federal intervention

What action is being taken

President Trump is deploying 4,100 National Guard troops and 700 Marines to Los Angeles
California Attorney General Rob Bonta is pursuing a lawsuit against Trump's use of the Insurrection Act
Governor Newsom is filing an emergency motion in federal court to block troops from assisting with immigration raids
Police are using rubber bullets and other "less-lethal" munitions against protesters
Law enforcement is arresting protesters, primarily for failing to disperse

Why it matters

The federal deployment represents a significant conflict between state/local and federal authorities over immigration enforcement
The protests highlight ongoing tensions regarding immigration policy and enforcement actions
Trump's invocation of the Insurrection Act raises constitutional questions about presidential authority versus state rights
The current situation draws comparisons to the 1992 Los Angeles riots, though at a much smaller scale
The deployment could potentially enable increased immigration enforcement actions in Los Angeles

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint