Hollywood celebrities are speaking out against President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown in Los Angeles, following a series of high-profile ICE raids and National Guard deployments in the city.
Stars like Eva Longoria and Chrissy Teigen took to social media to express solidarity with protestors and criticize the federal response. The backlash comes after Trump reportedly ordered 2,000 troops from California’s National Guard to assist amid escalating unrest – a move that was publicly opposed by California Governor Gavin Newsom.
On her Instagram Stories, Longoria reposted a tweet from Newsom criticizing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for threatening to deploy active-duty Marines to suppress resistance to Trump’s immigration policies. The actress also shared a video offering legal advice to citizens on their rights in such situations.
Teigen, known for her outspoken political views, shared a tweet questioning the allocation of federal resources for raids instead of addressing hunger and homelessness. She also posted an "I love LA" graphic in support of Angelenos and promoted the upcoming “No Kings” mass protest scheduled for June 14.
Another post implied that Trump’s recent actions in Southern California were politically motivated. Teigen, who is married to musician John Legend, has long been a vocal critic of Trump, frequently drawing his ire during his first term in office. However, her activism has not been without controversy; critics have pointed to past instances of online bullying, including a resurfaced scandal involving model Courtney Stodden.
According to the Associated Press, violence flared over the weekend at multiple protest sites across Southern California. In the city of Paramount, approximately 16 miles from downtown LA, clashes erupted near a Home Depot where immigration officials had set up a temporary Department of Homeland Security office. Protesters and federal agents clashed, with authorities deploying tear gas, pepper balls, and flashbangs, while demonstrators retaliated with rocks and debris.
The unrest has drawn comparisons to the 1992 riots following the Rodney King verdicts, marking some of the most volatile scenes LA has seen in decades.
ICE conducted raids throughout the area, including the Fashion District, reportedly arresting over 100 undocumented immigrants. Among those detained was a local union leader accused of obstructing law enforcement during the demonstrations.
In a statement, the White House said President Trump would not hesitate to use the National Guard to address “the lawlessness that has been allowed to fester,” though no specific timeline was given. Governor Newsom responded via X (formerly Twitter), calling the president’s language “purposefully inflammatory.”