Earthquake Rocks LA Amid Anti-ICE Protests and National Guard Deployment
Earthquake Shakes Los Angeles Amid Ongoing ICE Protest Chaos
[Image: A map showing the earthquake’s epicenter near Manhattan Beach, with National Guard troops patrolling streets.]
A 3.4-magnitude earthquake struck Los Angeles Tuesday afternoon, rattling coastal areas as the city entered its fourth day of unrest over controversial Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids. The tremor, detected by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), originated eight miles from Manhattan Beach and 20 miles from downtown LA. Over 700 residents reported feeling the quake, but no injuries or major damage were recorded.
While minor, the quake added tension to a region already on edge. Locals dubbed it a “baby earthquake” on social media, with one user joking, “I just assume any shaking is from the riot downtown.” The seismic activity occurred near the Newport-Inglewood Fault Zone, capable of producing a 7.4-magnquake. This fault caused a 6.4-magnitude quake in 1993.
Military Deployment Amid Protests
[Image: National Guard members and Marines patrolling downtown LA streets.]
The earthquake coincided with escalating protests against ICE raids, which began Friday after federal agents conducted operations targeting undocumented immigrants. Demonstrators clashed with police, burned vehicles, and looted businesses. In response, President Trump deployed 700 Marines and 2,100 National Guard troops to “address lawlessness.” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the military would remain for 60 days to combat “rioters, looters, and thugs.”
Trump defended the move, stating, “If we didn’t send in the National Guard quickly, Los Angeles would be burning to the ground.” He criticized California Governor Gavin Newsom for opposing the deployment and hinted at invoking the Insurrection Act, which allows federal military intervention in domestic crises. “If there’s an insurrection, I would certainly invoke it,” Trump warned, vowing “equal or greater force” against future unrest nationwide.
Local Impact and Concerns
[Image: Damaged storefronts and graffiti in LA’s protest-affected areas.]
Local businesses suffered heavy losses as looters ransacked stores. Residents expressed frustration over the dual crises. “This feels like a nightmare—earthquakes and riots at once,” said one shop owner. Scientists noted the quake’s timing was coincidental, as California averages 30–60 daily tremors.
The Newport-Inglewood Fault Zone remains a major concern, with experts warning of potential catastrophic quakes. However, Tuesday’s event highlighted more immediate threats: political divisions and civil unrest. As federal forces patrolled streets, protesters vowed to continue demonstrations, chanting, “No justice, no peace!”
With tensions unresolved, Los Angeles faces a fragile balance between seismic risks and human-driven chaos. [Image: Aerial view of Los Angeles, juxtaposing peaceful neighborhoods with protest hotspots.]
