President Donald Trump on Monday issued a call to action, demanding the arrest of all masked rioters amidst escalating clashes between anti-ICE protesters and law enforcement in Los Angeles, which have now spread to San Francisco.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated, “ARREST THE PEOPLE IN FACE MASKS, NOW!” and expressed concern over the situation in LA, suggesting that federal forces should be deployed to restore order.
The president’s remarks followed his announcement to send 2,000 California National Guard troops to Los Angeles as federal immigration agents faced violent protests over the weekend.
According to the Department of Defense, there are also 500 Marines on standby ready to deploy if the violence persists.
The unrest began on Saturday, sparked by aggressive anti-ICE demonstrations near a Home Depot in Paramount, a heavily Latino city, where demonstrators started throwing rocks and cement at Border Patrol vehicles amid heightened tensions from recent ICE operations.
Law enforcement responded with tear gas, flash bangs, and pepper balls in attempts to quell the chaos.
The protests intensified on Sunday when around 2,000 anti-ICE demonstrators took to a major highway in downtown Los Angeles, leading to additional confrontations, with rioters setting self-driving cars on fire and launching fireworks at police.
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) chief acknowledged that officers were overwhelmed by the aggressive behavior of the protesters, prompting Trump to respond.
He highlighted in another social media post that LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell mentioned the need to reassess the situation, urging him to call in the troops immediately.
California Governor Gavin Newsom labeled Trump’s decision to deploy troops as “purposefully inflammatory” and indicated plans to sue the administration.
Newsom encouraged the public to refrain from violent reactions, suggesting that the federal government was seeking a spectacle.
The push for a crackdown escalated further with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s comments, indicating that active-duty Marines at Camp Pendleton are on high alert for potential mobilization.
President Trump later reiterated his stance, declaring that if local officials like Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass could not manage the situation, the federal government would step in to address the violence and looting.
As the chaos unfolded, the strife also reached San Francisco, where rioters engaged in violent confrontations with police armed with riot gear.
Reports indicate that two officers were injured during the disturbances in the city’s financial district.
San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie stated, “My first priority as mayor is, and has always been, the safety of everyone who lives or works in San Francisco.”
He emphasized the right to peaceful protests but condemned violent acts, stating that local law enforcement would not tolerate destructive behavior.
Lurie confirmed that approximately 60 rioters have been arrested as a result of the unrest.
He reiterated that violence against law enforcement is unacceptable and mentioned ongoing efforts to clean up damage and restore services such as Muni.
In conclusion, Lurie expressed commitment to maintaining safety while continuing the city’s tradition of supporting community organizations and building trust with local law enforcement in the face of these challenges.
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