California Governor Gavin Newsom condemned Trump's deployment of National Guard troops to Los Angeles as 'illegal and immoral,' as protests against ICE arrests turned violent.
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US President Donald Trump has deployed another 2,100 National Guard members and 700 US Marines, in what the authorities have dubbed Task Force 51 meant to "provide continuous coverage of the area" as unrest in Los Angeles continued into its fourth day.
Tensions between Washington and California officials have grown as demonstrators took to the streets to protest a series of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrests mostly targeting migrant workers in Los Angeles.
The initially peaceful protests turned violent after heightened tensions, leading law enforcement to use tear gas and rubber bullets and shutting down the centre of Los Angeles as an "unlawful assembly area".
Trump has since deployed some 2,000 US National Guard troops to maintain order against what he said were “violent people”.
Late on Monday, California Governor Gavin Newsom said he was informed further National Guard members were on their way.
Newsom calls the presence of troops on the streets of Los Angeles both “illegal and immoral."
In a post on X, he said the activation of US Marines in Los Angeles was a "deranged fantasy," labelling Trump as a "dictatorial president". "This is un-American," Newsom added.
Trump shot back, saying that the city would have been “completely obliterated” if he had not sent National Guard members.
"I promise you they will be hit harder than they have ever been hit before," he said in a post on his own platform, Truth Social.
“Rescind the order. Return control to California,” Newsom demanded in a post on the social media platform X.
This appears to be the first time in decades that a state’s National Guard was activated without a request from its governor.
Newsom, speaking to local media, announced that his state will sue the Trump administration to roll back the National Guard deployment.
State prepares to sue Trump
California Attorney General Rob Bonta stated that the state intends to pursue a restraining order "to set aside the president’s unlawful action federalising the California National Guard." He added that there was neither a migrant "invasion" nor a rebellion to warrant the takeover.
Bonta said the lawsuit became necessary once Trump escalated the number of troops, leading to growing unrest.
Trump and his "border czar" Tom Holman traded taunts with Newsom about the possibility of arresting the governor if he interfered with federal immigration enforcement efforts.
“I would do it if I were Tom. I think it’s great,” Trump said.
Firing back, Newsom responded in a post on X saying “The president of the United States just called for the arrest of a sitting governor. This is a day I hoped I would never see in America.”
Protests continue in Los Angeles
On Monday, a large crowd gathered in a park opposite Los Angeles City Hall to demonstrate against the arrest of a prominent labour leader. Their placards criticised Trump and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) regarding the arrest of David Huerta on Friday.
Various union leaders from across California led the crowds in chants of calling for his release. Huerta was subsequently released on a $50,000 (€43,777) bond.
Residents say the scent of smoke and fire hung in the air, and piles of ash littered the streets of Los Angeles from the burnt vehicles that were ignited during the protests.
ICE officials stated that they are actively enforcing immigration laws and seeking to deport immigrants who have criminal convictions. Additionally, they expressed their preparedness to apprehend protesters who violate the law or obstruct their operations.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass expressed her concerns during an interview, stating that an increase in federal immigration raids could lead to "pandemonium."
She also added that protesters are ready to react swiftly and continue their demonstrations if they see ICE forces in action.