Protests in Los Angeles: Trump Confronts California — How Will This Impact His Ratings and Why Is Ukraine Talking About It?

On June 6, 2025, massive protests erupted in Los Angeles — the epicenter of outrage over President Donald Trump’s immigration policy. The trigger was the mass arrest of migrants during a new wave of immigration raids initiated by the Administration. The sharpest reaction came, unsurprisingly, from California — the largest and one of the most liberal U.S. states, with one of the highest proportions of immigrants in the country.

The protests quickly escalated into riots. A curfew was imposed in Los Angeles, and 700 Marines were deployed to the city to suppress the unrest — the first time in decades that such a large military force has been used in a domestic conflict on U.S. soil. The last time something similar happened was during the massive racial riots in Los Angeles in 1992.

A Front Between the White House and California

The confrontation between Trump and California is not new. For years, this state has been one of the main critics of MAGA (Make America Great Again) policies. Governor Gavin Newsom, liberal city mayors, and civic activists together form an alternative political power center, ideologically opposed to Trump. The president’s latest move — deploying the National Guard without the governor’s consent — became a major precedent. For the first time since 1965, federal authorities bypassed the powers of a state, undermining the foundations of U.S. federalism.

Thus, Trump is not only demonstrating resolve but also weakening the balance between the federal government and the states. This is a centralization of power that resembles Viktor Orbán’s policies in Hungary more than traditional American approaches to domestic governance.

Immigration as a Political Weapon

Hardline anti-immigration policies are a hallmark of Trump’s rhetoric. Since returning to power, he has significantly expanded the powers of ICE — the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. Daily arrests of up to 3,000 people, raids on businesses, and the detention of activists have created an atmosphere of fear, particularly in multicultural areas like Los Angeles.

However, this policy is not only about fulfilling campaign promises. It is also an attempt to mobilize Trump’s voter base through a confrontation with “enemy #1” — liberal California. The rhetoric of a “war for true American values” is aimed less at migrants and more at reinforcing Trump’s electoral foundation.

How Is This Affecting Trump’s Ratings?

Domestic crises in the U.S. have a far greater impact on public sentiment than foreign policy. Americans do not vote based on foreign relations with Ukraine or China — they vote based on the president’s actions within the country. And this current crisis is the first real stress test for the 47th president.

Trump has chosen the most confrontational scenario: ignoring the governor’s position, militarizing the streets, and publicly demonstrating force. But is this strategy justified? Some voters undoubtedly support such toughness. However, a growing number of Americans are beginning to perceive Trump’s actions as authoritarian.

Why This Matters for Ukraine

At first glance, the crisis in Los Angeles may seem like an internal U.S. matter. But in reality, it has global implications. Every act of centralization by Trump weakens the checks and balances system. And it is precisely those mechanisms — political opponents, independent media, Congress, governors — that have often kept Trump from taking pro-Russian or isolationist actions.

If Congress were not currently controlled by Trump allies, it is unlikely he would be able to act so arrogantly toward Ukraine. Therefore, for Ukraine’s interests, the key issue is not the protests, but the preservation of political balance in the United States.