Protests in Los Angeles have gotten even worse over the weekend, and many people are angry at President Donald Trump for what they’re calling a confusing and inappropriate move during a serious time of unrest.
Downtown LA has turned into chaos, with fires in the streets, people throwing objects, and a growing sense of disorder. Protesters were originally marching peacefully, but tensions have grown sharply in recent days.
As this was happening, instead of addressing the situation or speaking to the public, President Trump was seen attending UFC 316 at the Prudential Center on Saturday night. The White House even posted photos of him smiling and walking proudly with UFC president Dana White, as Kid Rock’s “American Bad A\” played in the background. For many, this moment was deeply upsetting. People were watching their city burn, and their president was at a sporting event acting like everything was normal.
This wasn’t the first time Trump attended a UFC event—he did so in November as well. But this one came at a particularly sensitive time. Online reactions to the photos were harsh. One person wrote, “He’s doing anything but his job.” Another said, “Is this to distract us from what’s happening in LA?” Someone else sarcastically commented, “Glad he’s focused on what matters. Reality TV star.” Many called him an “embarrassment.”
But what really angered people was not just his presence at the UFC event—it was what he did next. Without informing California Governor Gavin Newsom or the mayor of Los Angeles, Trump sent 2,000 National Guard troops into the city to control the protests. These troops were seen patrolling the streets, guarding buildings, and confronting protesters.
Protests had started on Friday, triggered by aggressive immigration raids carried out by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement). Under Trump’s hardline immigration policy, ICE officers have been raiding workplaces and neighborhoods to arrest and deport undocumented immigrants. Many people in LA were outraged and took to the streets to demand that these raids stop. Some gathered outside the Metropolitan Detention Centre, where immigrants were being held.
By Sunday, things had gotten so tense that parts of the 101 Freeway had to be shut down. Police clashed with demonstrators, using rubber bullets and tear gas. Protesters threw objects, burned cars, and covered city walls with graffiti like “F\*\*\* ICE.”
Governor Newsom was furious and accused Trump of acting like a “dictator.” He formally asked the White House to pull back the troops. But Trump refused. In fact, reports said an extra 500 marines were also on standby in case things got worse.
Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell, who initially didn’t want National Guard help, later admitted the situation had become “out of control.” That change in attitude reflects how badly the protests have escalated.
As cities across the U.S. watch LA’s unrest grow, many are asking the same question: why is the president going to a UFC fight while people are crying for help in the streets? Even some of Trump’s supporters are starting to question his choices.
At a time when leadership is needed most, many Americans feel like their president is more focused on entertainment than addressing a crisis that’s gripping one of the country’s biggest cities.
