Protests that erupted in Los Angeles nearly a week ago over President Donald Trump’s aggressive Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids are now spreading to other major US cities.
What began as street demonstrations after ICE executed multiple search warrants in L.A. has quickly evolved into a national outcry.
The Independent reported protests in at least 35 cities since Friday, with demonstrations intensifying on Monday and Tuesday in New York, Chicago, Austin, and Atlanta.
Read: Curfew in LA as Trump vows to 'liberate' city
Organisers have called the raids unconstitutional and dehumanising, and more than 1,800 protests are expected nationwide this weekend.
In a controversial move, President Trump has authorised the deployment of US Marines to support ICE operations.
The Pentagon confirmed Wednesday that the Marines would assist with logistics and transport, not direct arrests.
The order has drawn fierce backlash from critics who accuse Trump of militarising immigration enforcement to fuel his political base.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters Wednesday evening that 330 immigrants had been arrested in Los Angeles since June 6. Of those detained, 113 had prior criminal convictions, she said, referring to them as “illegal aliens.”
The Washington Post noted it could not immediately verify the figures. ICE has not yet commented.
Read More: White House defends crackdown on protesters in LA as Trump calls for California governor's arrest
California Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the federal crackdown and the military’s involvement, stating, “We will not turn our streets into battlegrounds.” He accused Trump of “politicising our military and pulling them off critical missions to further his own agenda.”
Trump is politicizing our military and pulling them off critical missions to further his own agenda. pic.twitter.com/GI6egFLxRg
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) June 11, 2025
Amid this volatile backdrop, President Trump attended the Kennedy Center on Wednesday night for the opening of Les Misérables, the iconic musical about revolution and resistance.
The visit marked his first time at the venue since taking office and came as part of his broader effort to reshape the institution’s cultural influence.
Dressed in a tuxedo and accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump, Trump walked the red carpet into a theatre thick with political tension.
The moment he entered the auditorium, a mix of boos and applause erupted. One person shouted a profanity during intermission, drawing loud cheers from others in the audience.
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