Foreign Links, Molotovs – Is This Protest?

Los Angeles erupted in violent anti-ICE protests, with taxpayer-funded activist groups linked to the Democratic Party and the Chinese Communist Party fueling the chaos as President Trump deployed 2,000 National Guard troops to restore order.

At a Glance

• Protests against ICE raids escalated into riots with demonstrators setting cars ablaze and making Molotov cocktails
• President Trump ordered 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles after ICE officers arrested 118 immigrants
• The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), which received $34 million in government grants, helped organize protests
• The Marxist Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL), linked to the Chinese Communist Party, was also involved in the demonstrations
• Governor Newsom plans to sue the Trump administration, calling the National Guard deployment “illegal and immoral”

Taxpayer-Funded Groups Behind the Protests

The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), a taxpayer-funded activist organization with documented ties to the Democratic Party, played a significant role in organizing the anti-immigration protests that have overwhelmed Los Angeles. Financial records reveal CHIRLA received nearly $34 million in government grants during the fiscal year ending June 2023, primarily from California sources. This represents a substantial increase from the $12 million received the previous year, raising questions about the use of public funds for political activism.

The Department of Homeland Security had previously provided CHIRLA with approximately $450,000 specifically for “citizenship education and training” programs. However, the federal agency terminated this funding arrangement in March 2024, cutting ties with the organization months before the current unrest began.

Foreign Influences and Escalating Violence

Federal authorities have identified another concerning element behind the protests: the Marxist Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL), an organization with documented connections to the Chinese Communist Party. This group’s involvement suggests external influences may be working to amplify domestic unrest. The demonstrations rapidly escalated beyond peaceful protest, with participants blocking major freeways, setting autonomous vehicles on fire, and attacking law enforcement facilities.

The Los Angeles Police Department was forced to declare a citywide tactical alert as rioters vandalized LAPD Headquarters and the U.S. Courthouse. Reports from the scene confirmed protesters were manufacturing and using Molotov cocktails, presenting a serious threat to public safety and infrastructure. Law enforcement eventually deployed tear gas to disperse crowds after multiple warnings were ignored.

Federal Response and State Opposition

President Trump’s decision to deploy 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles marks the most significant federal intervention in a state without gubernatorial approval since 1965. The president directly criticized California leadership for their handling of the situation, suggesting their inability to maintain order necessitated federal action. This extraordinary measure reflects the administration’s commitment to restoring public safety in the face of escalating violence.

“If Governor Gavin Newscum, of California, and Mayor Karen Bass, of Los Angeles, can’t do their jobs, which everyone knows they can’t, then the Federal Government will step in and solve the problem, RIOTS & LOOTERS, the way it should be solved!!!”, said President Trump. 

California Governor Gavin Newsom has vehemently opposed the federal intervention, announcing plans to sue the Trump administration. The governor claims the president “illegally acted to federalize the National Guard” without proper consultation. Newsom further argued that the deployment is “purposefully inflammatory and will only escalate tensions,” though critics note this stance came after local authorities had already failed to contain the violence for several days.

Nationwide Implications

The unrest has spread beyond Los Angeles, with similar anti-ICE demonstrations emerging in San Francisco and New York. The protests were initially triggered by Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations that resulted in the arrest of 118 immigrants with outstanding deportation orders. California’s sanctuary policies, particularly the California Values Act, which prevents local law enforcement from assisting federal immigration activities, have complicated the response to these enforcement actions.

“Federal government is moving to take over the California National Guard and deploy 2,000 soldiers. That move is purposefully inflammatory and will only escalate tensions. LA authorities are able to access law enforcement assistance at a moment’s notice.”, said Gavin Newsom.

The situation has captured national attention, drawing commentary from federal officials including Rep. Maxine Waters and former Vice President Kamala Harris, both of whom have criticized the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement policies. Meanwhile, social media reactions have largely focused on the apparent contradiction between California’s leadership condemning federal intervention while failing to maintain public order during increasingly violent demonstrations.