President Donald Trump’s immigration policy has ignited widespread backlash in Los Angeles, the second-largest city in the United States.
So far, at least 56 people have been arrested in large-scale protests following federal immigration raids conducted in the city on Friday. The demonstrations disrupted one of the region’s major freeways, and federal agents are facing criticism after detaining and allegedly injuring a well-known labor leader during the operation.
In response, the White House has escalated its stance — threatening legal action against California Governor Gavin Newsom and deploying Marines to reinforce National Guard troops to protect federal property. State leaders have rejected this federal assistance and filed a lawsuit against the administration.
According to White House officials, the confrontation with California is not only acceptable but politically advantageous. They describe the standoff as a defining example of Trump taking on a Democratic-led state over one of his key campaign promises — a moment they view as made for national attention.
“We’re happy to have this fight,” one official said, noting that the administration considers the issue a political asset.
Democratic leaders and immigration advocates have condemned the operation as illegal and driven by politics rather than public safety.
“This Administration’s actions are not about public safety — they’re about stoking fear,” wrote former Vice President Kamala Harris, a Los Angeles resident who ran against Trump in 2024.
Trump allies counter that the raids represent a fulfillment of his hard-line immigration agenda. Several White House officials and outside supporters, speaking on condition of anonymity, defended the president’s actions as consistent with his campaign promises.
“This is what America voted for, period,” said one adviser. “This is the America First focus that got the president elected and is driven by nothing else than what he promised American voters.”
The adviser also pointed to violence during the protests. “Look at the attacks on law enforcement. If Democrats want to align with that, so be it. That’s why we win elections and they don’t.”
Polling data supports the administration’s confidence. A CBS/YouGov survey conducted just before the Los Angeles raids found 54% approval for the administration’s deportation program targeting undocumented immigrants.
That level of public support explains why the administration — and many congressional Republicans — are standing firm despite the backlash and legal pushback.
“California’s leaders have thumbed their nose at the American people,” said Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D. “The president is doing exactly what he said he would do.”
Trump also gained more votes in California in the 2024 election compared to previous cycles, despite losing the state by a wide margin. His advisers believe that’s a sign his message resonates even in deep-blue states.
Conservative media figures have played a key role in shaping public perception. Prominent Trump supporter Phil McGraw, known as “Dr. Phil,” was embedded with ICE agents during the Los Angeles raids, as he had been during similar actions in Chicago earlier this year.
“This is an important moment in American history,” one adviser said of McGraw’s involvement. “People deserve to see it without distortion from biased media.” CNN first reported McGraw’s presence. His spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment.
Republicans broadly see the controversy as politically beneficial. They argue that Democrats are miscalculating by siding with protesters — some of whom were involved in violent acts — instead of backing law enforcement.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis told Fox News: “It shows how far left the party has gone when you see prominent Democrats defending illegal immigrants who are setting fires and destroying property.”
“It’s one of the reasons Democrats are struggling on the national stage,” he added.
Matthew Bartlett, a Republican strategist and former Trump administration official, said the protests have shifted the national conversation.
“There’s no political upside for Democrats in defending scenes of burning cars and chaos,” Bartlett said. “This has gone from a debate over immigration to a broader narrative about public disorder and government dysfunction.”
Still, not everyone in the administration agrees on how aggressively to target California leaders. One major point of contention has been the deployment of National Guard troops, which Governor Newsom has opposed, warning it could escalate tensions.
Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass argue the federal presence is provocative. Trump, however, has signaled he’s open to arresting Newsom if he continues to block federal enforcement efforts.
“I would do it if I were Tom,” Trump said, referring to his immigration adviser Tom Homan. “I think it’s great. Gavin likes the publicity. But I do think it would be a great thing.”
Privately, senior White House officials say an arrest is unlikely at this time.
“It’s not being actively planned or considered,” said one official. “But if someone breaks federal law, they risk arrest. That’s just a fact.”
Another official suggested that while it’s possible for state leaders to be detained if they obstruct federal immigration law, no such violation has yet been proven — and the optics of arresting elected officials could backfire, even with some Republican voters.
The administration insists there is no broader strategy to deploy troops to other Democratic-led cities. Officials say they’re monitoring whether additional protests escalate.
Newsom, meanwhile, has not backed down. Speaking to MSNBC, he said, “He knows where to find me. That kind of bloviating is exhausting. So, Tom, arrest me. Let’s go.”
On Monday, California filed suit against the administration, claiming that federalizing the state’s National Guard is unlawful.
“There is no invasion. There is no rebellion,” said California Attorney General Rob Bonta. “The president is trying to manufacture chaos. His order to take control of our National Guard is a misuse of federal authority.”
Despite the legal action, Trump supporters remain energized. Some have even offered to head to Los Angeles to support federal efforts — despite lacking any official law enforcement role.
One such supporter, right-wing media personality Benny Johnson, posted on X (formerly Twitter) that he was “preparing to deploy” to the city. He later shared photos of himself in military-style gear.
Administration officials acknowledge that the fight in Los Angeles has moved beyond its original scope — it’s no longer just about removing undocumented immigrants with criminal records, which was Trump’s original campaign pledge.
When asked on MSNBC whether all those arrested had criminal records, Trump immigration adviser Tom Homan responded bluntly: “Absolutely not.”
