Chaos in Los Angeles: Widespread Looting Erupts After Court Upholds Federal Troop Deployment
LOS ANGELES – A volatile legal and political standoff between the state of California and the federal government spilled into open chaos on the streets of Los Angeles Tuesday night, as widespread looting and vandalism tore through a 15-block swath of the downtown commercial district.
The outbreak of criminal activity, which included structure fires and extensive property damage, occurred just hours after a U.S. District Judge denied an emergency request from the state to block the deployment of U.S. Marines. The LAPD, now on a citywide tactical alert, made at least 45 arrests as they struggled to contain the lawlessness, which authorities have been quick to separate from organized union protests that had taken place earlier.
The crisis now presents a tense, two-front battle for officials. It pits California against the federal government in a constitutional power struggle while simultaneously forcing local law enforcement to combat a surge of violent crime. The Trump administration immediately seized on the events to justify its decision to send in troops, while California Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the violence but blamed the federal presence for provoking the chaos.
LAPD Overwhelmed by “Criminal Enterprise”
According to the Los Angeles Police Department, the violence was targeted and opportunistic. “Let me be clear: what we saw last night was not a protest,” LAPD Chief Michel Moore stated in a morning press conference. “It was a calculated, criminal enterprise that sought to exploit the situation for personal gain.”
Over 1,500 officers were deployed to the downtown area. They faced what officials described as a dynamic and chaotic scene, with looters targeting high-end retail stores. The Los Angeles Fire Department confirmed it responded to at least 12 active structure fires overnight. The damage is estimated to be in the millions of dollars.
A Legal Defeat Precedes Street-Level Chaos
The backdrop for the unrest was a federal courtroom. On Tuesday afternoon, a judge rejected California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s argument for a temporary restraining order against the federal government. The state had argued the deployment of the 2/7 Marine Battalion to guard federal buildings was an unconstitutional overreach that would inflame tensions.
The White House, which has maintained the deployment was a necessary precaution to protect federal property amid ongoing union protests, felt vindicated by the subsequent violence. In a sharply worded statement, a spokesperson said, “Last night’s shocking scenes of anarchy and looting are exactly why the President acted. Governor Newsom has clearly lost control of his state.”
A “Provocation” That Backfired?
Governor Newsom fired back on social media, condemning the criminal acts while placing blame on the Trump administration’s strategy. “The violence in our streets is unacceptable and will be met with the full force of the law,” Newsom wrote. “But let’s be clear: the President’s decision to send in combat troops against the wishes of this state has created an environment of chaos and provocation. It has backfired.”
Leaders of the SEIU and AFL-CIO, who organized the legitimate protests earlier in the day, also issued statements condemning the violence. A spokesperson for the unions blamed “outside agitators” for hijacking their message and engaging in “criminal opportunism” that harmed the city and the cause of working people.
As the city braces for another night, a critical court hearing on the legality of the federal deployment is now scheduled for Friday. The hearing will proceed in a city now serving as Exhibit A for both sides of the argument, a place where the debate over constitutional authority has been rendered in shattered glass and burning buildings.
