Protests Erupt In Los Angeles
As dusk settled over Los Angeles, the imagery on live feeds was anything but calm. The 101 Freeway, a major artery of the city, ground to a halt as anti-ICE protesters surged across its lanes, trapping hundreds of drivers and bringing commuter flow to a complete standstill. The gridlock wasn’t merely a traffic event—it was a signal flare to the nation: Los Angeles was spiraling.
In the background, a silent force stood ready. At Twentynine Palms, the United States Marine Corps had 500 members of the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines in “prepared to deploy” status, poised for a rapid insertion should the Department of Defense escalate federal response. Their readiness came under orders from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and in coordination with U.S. Northern Command. This wasn’t speculative—it was confirmed.
Pure chaos https://t.co/deYt9QX8Vp
— Jack Poso 🇺🇸 (@JackPosobiec) June 9, 2025
According to a press release issued late Sunday, approximately 2,000 California Army National Guard troops had already been placed under federal command. Task Force 51, led by a two-star general, took command of the response operation under Title 10 authority.
Units from the 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team were already stationed across high-risk areas including Compton, Paramount, and central Los Angeles.
But the situation was fluid—and volatile. Blackhawk helicopters buzzed overhead. Officers attempting to disperse protesters on the 101 were driven back by a barrage of thrown debris. Video posted by Nick Sortor painted a scene of mounting lawlessness—foreign flags in the crowd, police in retreat, and a backdrop of burning vehicles and chaotic chants. In one striking image, officers withdrew in formation under cover of smoke, while the crowd surged forward, emboldened.
🚨 JUST IN: MULTIPLE California Highway Patrol vehicles have been DESTROYED by rioters throwing rocks, Lime Scooters, and other objects
NOTHING is being done about it. Police are MIA.
CALIFORNIA HAS BEEN CONQUERED. pic.twitter.com/fNV8RR93gh
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) June 9, 2025
Even as the Department of Defense mobilized to secure federal facilities and personnel, political leaders issued competing messages. Mayor Karen Bass went on record blaming President Donald Trump for the crisis, claiming the situation was under control. But video footage told a different story—one newscast simply captioned the scene as “TOTAL ANARCHY HAPPENING LIVE.”
What makes this moment historically significant isn’t just the scale of the unrest. It’s the unmistakable shift from local disorder to federal militarization. U.S. Northern Command’s involvement is a threshold rarely crossed—and one that signifies the government is bracing for a sustained escalation.