President Donald Trump has announced a Department of Justice investigation into the funding sources behind the ongoing protests in Los Angeles, which erupted in response to aggressive Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids targeting undocumented workers. The announcement, made on June 11, 2025, has intensified the already heated conflict between the Trump administration and California state officials, including Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. Trump’s decision follows days of demonstrations that have seen nearly 400 arrests, a citywide curfew, and the controversial deployment of 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines to the city, a move Newsom has called a “brazen abuse of power.”
Speaking at a press conference, Trump claimed the protesters, many equipped with high-quality armor and face shields, are being financed by external groups. “Somebody’s paying for it. We’re going to find out who through Pam Bondi and the Department of Justice,” he stated, referring to the newly appointed Attorney General. FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed the bureau is probing “any and all monetary connections” to the protests, with some lawmakers speculating about foreign-backed groups, though no concrete evidence has been made public. The White House has suggested that the equipment and organization of some protesters indicate significant financial backing, a claim that has sparked debate about the motives behind the unrest.
The protests began on June 7, 2025, after ICE conducted raids in Los Angeles’s garment district, targeting workers suspected of being undocumented immigrants. The operations, part of Trump’s broader immigration crackdown, have drawn sharp criticism from Newsom, who argues the funds used for military deployment—estimated in the millions—should have supported recovery efforts for communities devastated by the January 2025 Eaton Canyon fire. Newsom’s administration, alongside Mayor Bass, has filed a lawsuit against the federal government, asserting that the deployment of troops without state consent violates constitutional principles.
Critics, including California Senator Alex Padilla, have called the raids and subsequent military presence a deliberate escalation designed to provoke unrest and undermine California’s economy, possibly targeting Newsom’s potential 2028 presidential run. Meanwhile, Trump’s supporters, including White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, argue that the protests have turned violent, citing incidents of vandalism and firebombs, though local officials maintain most demonstrations have been peaceful.
The investigation has raised concerns about free speech and the right to protest, with some activists warning it could be used to intimidate dissenters. As protests spread to cities like New York and Chicago, the nation watches closely to see whether the DOJ’s probe will uncover evidence of coordinated funding or further inflame tensions. With Trump’s administration vowing to use “every asset” to maintain order, the clash between federal and state powers continues to dominate headlines, leaving Los Angeles at the epicenter of a national debate over immigration, governance, and civil liberties.
