Trump orders troops, Newsom prepares lawsuit after ICE protests turn violent: Unbiased Updates, June 9, 2025

Tear gas clouds the streets, self-driving cars burn in flames and a confrontation arises between President Donald Trump and Gov. Gavin Newsom regarding who is in charge in California.

A boat headed to Gaza was abruptly stopped. Israel calls it a publicity stunt, while activists assert it was a vital lifeline. Among those detained was activist Greta Thunberg.

Major players and significant stakes are at play as trade negotiations with China resume. Tariffs, rare earth elements and global supply chains are all in the balance.

These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Monday, June 9, 2025.

Dozens arrested after ICE protests turn violent in Los Angeles

Protests that began in Los Angeles have now spread throughout the state and escalated into violence. Currently, many individuals have been arrested, and the entire city has been designated a zone of unlawful assembly. Highways are closed, and the National Guard is present on the ground.

It all started Friday, June 6, when U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents detained dozens of undocumented immigrants in Los Angeles, sparking outrage and protests that grew throughout the weekend.

By Sunday, June 8, President Donald Trump ordered 2,000 National Guard troops to California and placed 500 Marines on standby. It’s a move Gov. Gavin Newsom blasted as a political stunt to “manufacture chaos and violence.”

Newsom posted on X: “Trump succeeded.”

Overnight, Trump posted on Truth Social, “Arrest the people in face masks now!”

Protests continued overnight as about 300 National Guard troops rolled into L.A. Demonstrators blocked the 101 Freeway, torched self-driving cars, and clashed with police. Officers responded with tear gas, rubber bullets, and flashbangs.

Protesters were seen throwing chunks of concrete, rocks, fireworks — even electric scooters — at California Highway Patrol units.

Newsom told MSNBC last night that he’ll announce a lawsuit against the administration today. Meanwhile, Border Czar Tom Homan has dedoubling down, warning that Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass could be arrested if they interfere.

LAPD says at least 56 people are under arrest, so far.

Protests are also flaring up in San Francisco, where police arrested 60 people, including juveniles, near the immigration building. Demonstrations continue in Pasadena on Monday morning as well.

Thunberg among activists detained after Gaza aid ship intercepted by Israeli navy

Greta Thunberg and other prominent activists are currently in Israeli custody. They were brought to shore this morning after Israeli forces intercepted their aid boat overnight.

The climate activist and several others were aboard the Madleen, a civilian ship attempting to reach Gaza with food, baby formula and medical supplies. However, just before dawn, the Israeli military moved in and boarded the vessel in international waters.

A video posted by Israel’s foreign ministry shows the activists wearing life vests and being handed sandwiches and bottled water.

Israel has labeled it a publicity stunt, while the activists maintained it was a peaceful mission and accused Israel of violating international law. The boat had been at sea for a week after departing from Sicily.

Israel said the aid on board will be routed to Gaza through established channels. However, critics warn that the overall flow of aid into Gaza remains dangerously low and is nowhere near sufficient to prevent famine.

Ukraine claims Russia launched 479 drones overnight in largest bombardment yet

Ukraine reported that Russia launched 479 drones overnight, marking the largest attack of the war to date. The air force stated that 20 missiles were also fired across the country, including the capital, Kyiv. Most of the barrage focused on central and western Ukraine.

Ukraine claims it shot down 277 drones and 19 missiles, with only about 10 hitting their targets. Despite the escalation, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told ABC News on Sunday, June 8, that Ukraine is ready for a U.S.-brokered ceasefire, saying that only hard pressure from Trump will force Russian President Vladimir Putin to act “pragmatically.”

Meanwhile, Russia said its troops are advancing to the Dnipro-Petrovsk region, potentially opening up a new front in east-central Ukraine.

And in the northeast, Russian units appear to be closing in on Sumy. Moscow claims it has retaken the village of Loknia — an area Ukraine had liberated during its 2022 spring counter-offensive. This development comes after a planned prisoner swap fell through over the weekend.

Russia accuses Ukraine of stalling and delaying the return of 12,000 fallen soldiers. Ukraine denies these claims.

Second round of US-China trade talks underway in London

Top U.S. officials traveled to London on Monday, June 9, initiating a second round of high-stakes trade talks with China. The goal is to establish a truce between the world’s two largest economies.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick are leading the American side, joined by China’s top economic official, Vice Premier He Lifeng.

The talks come as the Trump administration faces growing pressure here at home. Tariffs on Chinese goods were recently ruled illegal by a U.S. trade court, even as factories here and in Europe scramble to replace critical rare earth supplies now restricted by Beijing.

The meetings are expected to stretch into Tuesday, June 10.

New Trump travel ban now in effect for 12 countries

A travel ban from the Trump administration takes effect on Monday, June 9. The ban imposes restrictions on travelers from a dozen countries, primarily in Africa and the Middle East.

The new ban indicates that the State Department will likely block visa applications from countries, including Afghanistan, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen, along with tighter entry restrictions for citizens from places like Cuba and Venezuela.

Now, those who already have a valid visa should still be able to enter the U.S. The ban does not cancel previously issued visas. However, immigration experts say this version is more carefully crafted than President Trump’s first travel ban, which targeted Muslim-majority nations and was struck down by the courts.

This time, the administration is relying on a homeland security report that claims certain countries have high rates of visa overstays.

Tonys: ‘Maybe Happy Ending’ sweeps musicals, ‘Purpose” takes top prize in plays

This year’s Tony Awards are in the books, and it was definitely a happy ending for one show in particular. The android rom-com “Maybe Happy Ending” led the charge, claiming six Tonys, including Best Musical. Its star, Darren Criss, picked up the award for Best Leading Actor.

The revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical “Sunset Boulevard” also won big. Its star, former Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger, won Best Actress in a Leading Musical Role.

Meanwhile, the Pulitzer Prize-winning drama “Purpose” won Best Play, marking back-to-back wins for its playwright, Branden Jacobs-Jenkins; his play “Appropriate” won Best Revival last year. Jacobs-Jenkins is the first Black playwright to win the Best Play category since 1987.