Fact check: Did the most the recent LA riots June 2025 become violent when the Military and ICE come on the scene

1. Summary of the results

The LA riots of June 2025 were already underway when military and ICE forces arrived, but their presence significantly escalated the situation. The unrest began on June 6 following ICE raids ^[1], with over 1,000 protesters surrounding federal law enforcement buildings, assaulting officers, and damaging property ^[2]. President Trump deployed 2,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines without California Governor Newsom's approval ^[3], which led to further escalation and confrontations in Paramount and Compton ^[4].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Several crucial contextual elements were missing from the original question:

• The riots were triggered by ICE operations that resulted in 118 immigrant arrests, including 5 people linked to criminal organizations ^[5]
• The LAPD took 2 hours to respond to initial unrest, and there was a 413% increase in assaults against ICE officers ^[2]
• Public opinion was deeply divided, with a YouGov survey showing 50% disapproving of the Trump administration's deportation handling ^[6]
• Governor Newsom filed a legal challenge against the domestic military deployment ^[1]
• Protesters engaged in specific acts like burning Waymo vehicles and blocking streets ^[6]
• Border Patrol personnel used tear gas to disperse protesters ^[5]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question suggests a simple cause-and-effect relationship between military/ICE presence and violence, but the situation was more complex:

• Political tensions: The deployment of military forces without state approval created a constitutional crisis benefiting both:
• The Trump administration, which could appear tough on immigration ^[3]
• Governor Newsom and state Democrats, who could position themselves against federal overreach ^[4]
• Law enforcement narrative: Police and ICE benefit from emphasizing protester violence to justify their response, while protest organizers benefit from emphasizing law enforcement escalation. The LAPD's delayed response ^[2] and subsequent mass arrests ^[1] suggest a complex dynamic beyond simple cause-and-effect.

The situation represents a broader conflict between federal immigration enforcement and state sovereignty, with both sides using the events to advance their political positions.