In a startling show of federal force, dozens of National Guard troops and federal officers swarmed Los Angeles’ MacArthur Park on Monday, leaving residents and city officials shaken. The sudden and brief operation, lasting just over an hour unfolded in one of LA’s most diverse and immigrant-rich neighborhoods, sparking outrage and confusion over its purpose.
Troops arrived on foot, horseback, and in military vehicles, including Humvees and tactical trucks, drawing comparisons to an armed occupation. Locals, including parents and community activists, described the scene as something out of a war zone. “What I saw in the park today looked like a city under siege,” said LA Mayor Karen Bass, who rushed to the scene alongside community leaders. “Children at day camp were rushed indoors. One 8-year-old told me he was afraid of ICE.”
Federal authorities have remained tight-lipped. The Department of Homeland Security refused to clarify if any arrests were made or what prompted the raid. Defense officials confirmed that around 90 California National Guard troops were deployed to “protect immigration officers,” but emphasized it wasn’t a military operation, a claim few locals found convincing.
Sprawling across several city blocks, MacArthur Park is known as the “Ellis Island of the West Coast,” a vibrant hub for immigrants from Mexico, Central America, and beyond. On any given day, its soccer fields, food stands, and street vendors buzz with life and culture. But on Monday, that energy was replaced by fear and silence.
Images from the scene showed mounted officers riding across empty fields where children usually play, while armored vehicles stood parked near sidewalks typically lined with taco stands and toy sellers. Health workers assisting the homeless reported being threatened at gunpoint and ordered to leave.
City Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez, whose district includes the park, accused the federal government of targeting the neighborhood specifically because of who lives there. “This was no accident,” she said. “This is a direct message and it’s one of intimidation.”
The show of force comes amid a broader crackdown on immigration under President Donald Trump, who last month sent thousands of National Guard troops and active-duty Marines to Los Angeles following protests over immigration raids. Despite California Governor Gavin Newsom’s strong opposition, over 4,000 troops remain deployed across the city.
Critics, including legal advocates and council members, slammed the operation as political theater. “This looked like a staging for a TikTok video,” said City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson. “If Border Patrol wants to film in LA, they should get a permit like everyone else.”
For many residents, the incident left emotional scars. Betsy Bolte, a local, said the low-flying helicopters and armed soldiers were “gut-wrenching.” “It’s terror,” she said, “and it’s ripping the heart and soul out of Los Angeles.”
As federal silence continues, the city is left demanding answers and residents are left with a lasting sense of fear.