Nationwide protests against ICE escalate with use of tear gas, display of flags, and ongoing legal disputes.
Protesters across multiple cities demanded an end to the U.S. government's strict immigration policies as ICE agents continued to conduct raids. Crowds in Las Vegas, Seattle, and New York clashed with law enforcement, leading to numerous arrests.
In Las Vegas, tensions escalated as authorities fired tear gas into a crowd carrying Mexican and other international flags. The standoff between protesters and police led to the declaration of an "unlawful assembly."
Washington state witnessed demonstrations in Spokane, where Mayor Lisa Brown declared a state of emergency and imposed a curfew. Police detained several protesters, using tear gas to disperse crowds gathered outside ICE field offices. Seattle saw eight arrests, with officers facing attacks from fireworks, rocks, and cement.
California was no stranger to the unrest, as videos surfaced of high-profile ICE raids leading to clashes, arrests, and confrontations between immigration agents and the public. In Los Angeles, two vehicles pinned a car during a "targeted arrest," while armed men in plain clothes were confronted by church officials in Downey.
Nationwide rallies are planned for Saturday, coinciding with President Trump's military parade. As these protests intensify, there are growing concerns about the legal standing of deploying active-duty Marines to quell protests and the potential blurring of law enforcement and military roles.
Recent attempts by the President to federalize and deploy forces during immigration raids have been criticized for being legally dubious and potentially dangerous. The Posse Comitatus Act generally prohibits federal military personnel, including active-duty Marines, from performing civilian law enforcement functions. The Insurrection Act provides the primary statutory exception, allowing the President to deploy troops if there is an actual insurrection or rebellion or if law enforcement efforts are obstructed. However, the threshold for using such powers is intentionally high to protect against their misuse.
Courts have repeatedly emphasized that military force cannot be used to suppress peaceful or lawful protests, as this would infringe upon First Amendment rights. Federal judges have also been quick to review and block unlawful deployments of military personnel for domestic law enforcement purposes.
Despite these legal constraints, the deployment of active-duty Marines in certain regions, such as California and Texas, has sparked controversy and raised concerns about blended roles in law enforcement and military functions, undermining public trust and civil liberties.
In the context of escalating tensions between protesters and law enforcement, general news outlets are reporting on instances of tear gas being used in cities like Las Vegas, where protests turned into an "unlawful assembly." Meanwhile, crime-and-justice reporters are closely monitoring the legal standing of President Trump's actions in deploying active-duty Marines to quell protesters, with concerns arising about potential blurring of law enforcement and military roles, particularly in states like California.
