June 13, 2025 - News on protests over Trump’s immigration crackdown

We’ve wrapped up our live coverage for the day. You can read more about the protests and Trump’s immigration crackdown here.

A flower is placed in front of members of the National Guard as they confront protesters in downtown Los Angeles on Friday.

Senior US District Judge Charles Breyer’s ruling barring President Donald Trump from taking over the California National Guard last night was swiftly blocked, but that fact doesn’t erase the searing messages he sent on the First Amendment and militarization of America’s streets.

During the Los Angeles protests, Trump, White House staffers, Cabinet members and GOP allies have all repeated claims they are an “insurrection” or “rebellion” against the United States.

Breyer wasn’t having it.

“Even accepting the questionable premise that people armed with fireworks, rocks, mangoes, concrete, chairs, or bottles of liquid are ‘armed’ … the Court is aware of no evidence in the record of actual firearms – there is little evidence of whether the violent protesters’ actions were ‘open or avowed,’” he wrote.

First Amendment liberties are also at stake.

“[I]ndividuals’ right to protest the government is one of the fundamental rights protected by the First Amendment, and just because some stray bad actors go too far does not wipe out that right for everyone,” Breyer, a Bill Clinton appointee, wrote. “The idea that protesters can so quickly cross the line between protected conduct and ‘rebellion against the authority of the Government of the United States’ is untenable and dangerous.”

Going further, the judge suggested some changes on the ground.

“Federal agents and property may actually well be served by de-militarization and a concurring de-escalation of the situation,” Breyer wrote.

“Plaintiffs and the citizens of Los Angeles face a greater harm from the continued unlawful militarization of their city, which not only inflames tensions with protesters, threatening increased hostilities and loss of life, but deprives the state for two months of its own use of thousands of National Guard members to fight fires, combat the fentanyl trade, and perform other critical functions,” he said.

The 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals did not comment on the legality or reasoning behind Breyer’s order when it paused it Thursday night, but his rhetoric should be expected to be seen as the legal battles continue.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams said he assured the federal government “We got this” when asked about the possible deployment of National Guard troops to protests expected across the city over the weekend.

The city’s police department is well-prepared to handle protests, Adams said at a Friday afternoon news conference. He said the city was coordinating closely with federal partners.

“We expect large numbers of New Yorkers to be out in our streets, and the 34,000 members of the New York City Police Department, led by our team, will be protecting everyone,” he said. “We want to keep all New Yorkers safe, whether protesting or going about your everyday life.”

New York Police Department Commissioner Jessica Tisch stressed violence or lawbreaking at protests would not be tolerated.

“For those who intend to commit crimes tomorrow, for those who are coming to incite violence, to cause property damage, to attack our cops, you will be met with the full strength and determination of the greatest police department in the world,” Tisch said.

“Do not turn your exercise of cherished First Amendment rights into criminal conduct,” she went on. “Because my orders are clear: If individuals at the protest tomorrow are committing crimes, they will be arrested.”

“Attacking our officers or police property will not be tolerated and will be met with a swift and decisive response,” she added.