Tensions Rise in LA as Trump and Newsom Lock Horns
Tensions Boil Over in Los Angeles as Anti-Deportation Protests Escalate
The streets of Los Angeles are ablaze with anger and frustration, as the third day of anti-deportation protests has turned violent. Demonstrators clashed with law enforcement, while President Donald Trump and California Governor Gavin Newsom exchanged blame over the unrest and responsibility for restoring order.
Trump’s decision to deploy National Guard troops over the weekend, despite objections from state and city officials, has led to growing friction between local leaders and the administration. Newsom warned that the deployment was “unlawful” and would only ramp up tensions, while also announcing plans to sue the administration over the action.
The situation on the ground is dire, with conditions deteriorating as people committing vandalism and violence replaced peaceful daytime demonstrators. LA Police Chief Jim McDonnell described the violence as “disgusting,” saying that what was initially a peaceful protest had turned into a scene of chaos and destruction. The department issued an order telling people to immediately leave the downtown area, declaring it an “unlawful assembly.”
Trump took to Truth Social to describe the unrest as an attack on immigration enforcement efforts, labeling it a “migrant riot.” He called for federal agencies to take all necessary action to restore order and continue deportation operations, including arresting people wearing face masks. However, Newsom urged protesters to remain peaceful, warning that any violence would be met with swift and severe consequences.
The situation is not limited to Los Angeles, with similar protests breaking out in San Francisco. The California Highway Patrol made 17 arrests on Sunday, while ICE reported 118 arrests this week in the LA area. Federal law enforcement officials clashed briefly with a smaller group of demonstrators earlier on Sunday, using less than lethal munitions like tear gas and batons to disperse the crowd.
As tensions escalate, one question remains: what will it take for the situation to be brought under control? Will the National Guard troops be enough to restore order, or will their deployment simply serve to further polarize the city?
The answer may lie in the laws that govern federal troop deployments. The 1878 Posse Comitatus Act, which bars the use of active-duty US military for domestic law enforcement, is already being tested. With mounting pressure from the White House, it remains to be seen whether the administration’s actions will be challenged in court.
In the meantime, Los Angeles remains a city on fire, with protesters and law enforcement locked in a standoff that shows no signs of abating. As one protester asked during a rally earlier this week: “What is happening to our country?” The answer, for now, is uncertain.
