Trump is vowing to take back the city.
Over the weekend, Los Angeles saw a wave of violent protests following a series of immigration enforcement actions carried out by federal agencies. Demonstrators took to the streets in response to these operations, which included raids conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), sparking widespread unrest marked by arson, assaults on federal officers, and the use of fireworks against law enforcement.
In response, former President Donald Trump made a public statement vowing to restore order in the city. Posting on his Truth Social platform, Trump said he had instructed federal authorities to take whatever steps were necessary to end what he called “migrant riots” and ensure that deportation efforts continue. He also announced the deployment of the National Guard to Los Angeles, emphasizing his intent to reclaim the city from what he described as criminal activity by undocumented immigrants and violent demonstrators.
Trump criticized California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass for what he called their inadequate response to the situation. He demanded they take accountability for the ongoing violence, accusing them of failing their constituents. Meanwhile, Newsom countered by accusing Trump of escalating the conflict and using federal forces to provoke unrest and instability in the city.
The protests, which began on Friday, continued into Sunday, with rioters blocking major roadways, setting fires, and injuring law enforcement officers. One incident involved a man throwing rocks that caused injury to a federal officer and damage to property, prompting the FBI to offer a $50,000 reward for information leading to his arrest. Many demonstrators were seen waving Mexican flags as they disrupted traffic and clashed with police.
Law enforcement officials, including LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell, expressed serious concerns about the danger posed by the violence, particularly the use of powerful fireworks as weapons. The situation remains tense, with federal and local agencies working to regain control of the affected areas while public and political debate over immigration policy and protest response continues to intensify.
