Trump admin sues LA, claiming sanctuary policy fueled ICE protests
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Trump in June took control of the state's National Guard and deployed thousands of troops over Governor Newsom's objections. Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images
The Trump administration sued the city of Los Angeles in a Monday filing, alleging that the sanctuary policies led to "lawlessness, rioting, looting, and vandalism."
Why it matters: The latest lawsuit escalated the war between President Trump and California on the heels of Gov. Gavin Newsom's lawsuit against the federal government.
Zoom in: The Department of Justice claimed in a filing that federal law enforcement officials were restricted by Los Angeles laws and policies.
- The city's laws impeded "consultation and communication between federal, state, and local law enforcement officials that is necessary for federal officials to carry out federal immigration law and keep Americans safe," per the suit.
- "The practical upshot of Los Angeles' refusal to cooperate with federal immigration authorities has, since June 6, 2025, been lawlessness, rioting, looting, and vandalism," the DOJ said in the complaint. "A direct confrontation" was "the inevitable outcome."
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass did not respond to Axios' immediate request for comment.
Catch up quick: For weeks, Trump's battle with California has been mostly directed at Newsom.
- Trump called for Newsom's arrest following days of protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
- Soon afterwards, Trump took control of the state's National Guard and deployed thousands of troops despite Newsom's objections.
- Newsom then sued the Trump administration over the military deployment. A federal appeals court later ruled that Trump is allowed to keep using California National Guard to respond to the protests.
Zoom out: The Trump administration has also sued other city and state governments over sanctuary city policies.
- The DOJ sued Illinois and Chicago in February, and later sued four additional cities in New Jersey.
- Trump also signed an executive order seeking to keep federal funds from jurisdictions with sanctuary rules in place.
- A federal judge in San Francisco temporarily blocked the Trump administration from enforcing the order against more than a dozen cities that sued.
The intrigue: Trump and his allies have linked opposition to his "Big, Beautiful Bill" with support for anti-ICE efforts in L.A.
- "We see the riots in L.A. laden with political opportunity, in that it's a fight between what Republicans say they want vs. the radical left and protesters waving the Mexican flag in front of burning cars — and the Democrats supporting them," a senior White House adviser told Axios this month.
- "It's the best BBB marketing ever. It has brought the critical nature of increased border funding and immigration enforcement to the fore," said Andrew Kolvet, spokesman for Turning Point USA, a major voice in Republican advocacy.
