'Right now!' Trump demands troops swarm LA as he fumes over protest inaction
Travis Gettys
June 9, 2025 6:41AM ET
Police face off with demonstrators during a protest against federal immigration sweeps in downtown Los Angeles, California, U.S. June 8, 2025. REUTERS/Mike Blake TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
President Donald Trump continued to rage Monday against protests against immigration raids in Los Angeles after deploying National Guard troops.
Nearly 60 demonstrators were arrested over the weekend as protesters were ordered to leave the downtown area, and the president called on Los Angeles police chief Jim McDonnell to crack down before the situation spun out of control.
"Jim McDonnell, the highly respected LAPD Chief, just stated that the protesters are getting very much more aggressive, and that he would 'have to reassess the situation,' as it pertains to bringing in the troops," Trump posted Monday on Truth Social at 2:14 a.m. EST. "He should, RIGHT NOW!!! Don’t let these thugs get away with this. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!"
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About 300 of the 2,000 National Guard troops deployed by the president arrived over the weekend in Los Angeles, which mayor Karen Bass called a “chaotic escalation," and California Gov. Gavin Newsom has asked the administration to rescind the order and allow state and local authorities to manage the situation – which Trump seems unwilling to do.
"Looking really bad in L.A.," Trump posted at 12:16 a.m. "BRING IN THE TROOPS!!!"
"ARREST THE PEOPLE IN FACE MASKS, NOW!," he added three minutes later.
Trump has long been peeved by protesters wearing masks, and he raged against them late Sunday and demanded apologies from the governor and mayor for the demonstrations.
"Governor Gavin Newscum and 'Mayor' Bass should apologize to the people of Los Angeles for the absolutely horrible job that they have done, and this now includes the ongoing L.A. riots," Trump posted Sunday at 10:03 p.m. "These are not protesters, they are troublemakers and insurrectionists. Remember, NO MASKS!" |
