Anti-ICE protesters invading Trump Tower were swiftly arrested as the nationwide crisis escalates, forcing President Trump to deploy the National Guard to quell violent demonstrations in Los Angeles while Democrat lawmakers stand firmly against the intervention.
Key Takeaways
- 24 anti-ICE protesters were arrested at Trump Tower after staging a disruptive demonstration where they read names of deported illegal immigrants.
- Nationwide protests have intensified following violent demonstrations in Los Angeles that included vehicle explosions, rock-throwing at law enforcement, and highway takeovers.
- President Trump ordered National Guard deployment to restore order in Los Angeles, facing immediate opposition from Democratic lawmakers.
- ICE operations in Los Angeles resulted in 45 arrests, including a Vietnamese illegal alien with a murder conviction, highlighting the agency’s focus on removing criminal aliens.
- DHS officials criticized California authorities for allegedly prioritizing criminal illegal immigrants over citizen safety.
Trump Tower Invasion Met with Swift NYPD Response
The escalating national tension over immigration enforcement reached a boiling point in Manhattan when 24 anti-ICE protesters stormed Trump Tower, refusing to leave until forcibly removed by police. The demonstrators occupied the lobby while chanting “Bring Them Back” and reading aloud the names of deported illegal immigrants who were reportedly sent to a prison facility in El Salvador. The brazen demonstration directly targeted the building owned by President Trump, whose administration has intensified immigration enforcement operations nationwide.
NYPD officers from the department’s Strategic Defense Unit, equipped with plastic zip ties, methodically detained approximately 20 protesters after allowing the demonstration to continue for about 40 minutes. Video footage showed officers restraining the activists with plastic ties before escorting them outside and placing them in waiting police vans. At the time of reporting, it remains unclear what specific charges, if any, the protesters will face for their actions at the high-profile Manhattan property.
“No ICE, No KKK, No Fascist USA,” stated chanted protesters, according to Fox News.
Nationwide Protests Spark Violence in Los Angeles
The Trump Tower demonstration was just one facet of coordinated nationwide protests that have erupted following particularly violent confrontations in Los Angeles. The California protests began in response to ICE operations that resulted in 45 arrests, including a Vietnamese illegal alien with a murder conviction. What started as demonstrations quickly escalated to include vehicle explosions, protesters throwing rocks at law enforcement officers, and unauthorized takeovers of major highways, creating a public safety crisis that demanded immediate federal intervention.
🚨12 HOUR NEWS RECAP
1. LA burned for a third night as anti-ICE rioters clashed with police, setting fire to cars and attacking the LAPD HQ. Protesters took advantage of the chaos, breaking into stores in downtown LA and looting.
2. Trump deployed the National Guard to… https://t.co/STUIPJRDMr pic.twitter.com/c21n2KWXch
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) June 9, 2025
The intensity of the Los Angeles protests prompted President Trump to deploy the National Guard to restore order, a decision that highlighted the deep political divisions surrounding immigration policy. The president’s action came after local law enforcement appeared overwhelmed by the scale and aggression of the demonstrations, which caused significant property damage and threatened public safety across the city. Multiple other cities have since experienced similar, though less violent, anti-ICE demonstrations as part of the coordinated nationwide response.
Federal Response and Political Fallout
The Department of Homeland Security has defended the ICE operations that sparked the protests, emphasizing the criminal backgrounds of many individuals targeted for deportation. The agency has maintained that its enforcement actions are focused on public safety and national security priorities, not indiscriminate raids as portrayed by protest organizers. This position has intensified the already heated debate between immigration enforcement advocates and those calling for more lenient policies.
“[California officials] care more about violent murderers and sex offenders than they do about protecting their own citizens,” said Tricia McLaughlin, Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary. According to Fox News.
Democratic lawmakers have vocally opposed President Trump’s decision to deploy the National Guard, characterizing it as an excessive use of force and an overreach of federal authority. This opposition highlights the deep political polarization surrounding immigration enforcement, with conservatives supporting decisive action to maintain law and order while progressives advocate for protecting immigrant communities from what they view as aggressive enforcement tactics. The standoff between federal authorities and protest organizers shows no signs of resolution as demonstrations continue to spread across major urban centers.
