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Waymo Suspends Downtown L.A. Service After Protesters Torch Multiple Vehicles

Governor Newsom has threatened to sue the Trump administration over an unauthorized National Guard deployment.

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A row of Waymo vehicles burn on a street during an anti-ICE protest in downtown Los Angeles, California, on June 8, 2025.
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Overview

  • Protesters set at least five Waymo autonomous vehicles ablaze on Sunday during demonstrations against ICE raids and President Trump’s immigration policies.
  • Waymo has suspended its robotaxi service in downtown Los Angeles and removed vehicles from the protest zone for safety reasons.
  • The Los Angeles Police Department warned that burning lithium-ion batteries release hydrogen fluoride and other toxic gases, posing health risks to responders and bystanders.
  • President Trump dispatched over 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles without a request from Governor Newsom, prompting the governor to threaten legal action.
  • Waymo maintains that its vehicles were not specifically targeted and is working with law enforcement to determine when it can safely resume downtown operations.