Trump: As of now, masks will not be allowed at protests

Trump: As of now, masks will not be allowed at protests

President Donald Trump has ordered 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles in response to immigration protests that have turned violent. The White House stated that this move is an effort to quell "lawlessness" following protests over immigration enforcement raids [1].

The deployment marks a rare use of federal control over California's state military, with Governor Gavin Newsom describing it as "purposefully inflammatory" [1]. The protests have seen demonstrators clash with federal agents, with at least 118 immigrants arrested, including individuals with prior criminal histories [2].

Federal immigration raids in Los Angeles sparked large-scale protests, with confrontations intensifying in the suburb of Paramount. Federal agents in riot gear used flash-bangs and tear gas on demonstrators opposing ICE operations [2]. Amid scenes of unrest, protesters burned flags, blocked roads, and clashed with law enforcement, prompting fears of further escalation as the National Guard’s deployment looms [2].

The operation came after Friday’s high-profile immigration raids across the city, which resulted in 118 arrests. According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), among those detained were individuals with links to criminal organisations and others with prior convictions [2]. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem warned protesters on X, formerly Twitter, that "you will not stop us or slow us down," and vowed full prosecution for any interference [2].

Trump praised the crackdown and warned that the federal government would intervene if local authorities failed to control the situation. "If Governor Gavin Newscum, of California, and Mayor Karen Bass, of Los Angeles, can't do their jobs… the Federal Government will step in and solve the problem, RIOTS & LOOTERS, the way it should be solved!!!" he posted on Truth Social [2].

Governor Gavin Newsom responded, warning that federal control over California’s National Guard would escalate tensions. "This is the wrong mission and will erode public trust," he said [2]. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass condemned the raids as attempts to "sow terror" in one of America’s most diverse cities [2].

Protests erupted soon after Friday’s immigration raids, which targeted sites including garment factories, warehouses, and day labourer pickup points near Home Depots [2]. The protest movement appears set to grow, even as federal officials insist they will continue to carry out immigration enforcement operations. ICE has set a daily arrest goal of 3,000 under President Trump’s second-term immigration push [2].

The broader standoff pits federal immigration authorities under a Republican White House against a Democratic-led city government. As tear gas clouds clear, the political divisions remain sharp—and the likelihood of continued confrontation grows by the hour [2].

References:
[1] https://www.kake.com/trump-deploys-national-guard-over-la-immigration-protests/article_3d6fec89-601b-526a-897a-93eaf490f0d3.html
[2] https://m.economictimes.com/news/international/global-trends/trump-sends-national-guard-to-la-amid-immigration-protests/articleshow/121702680.cms