Trump bans masks in protests after LA clashes
US President Donald Trump on Sunday praised the National Guard's "outstanding" performance in Los Angeles after two days of violent clashes between protesters and law enforcement.
Trump announced that wearing masks during protests would no longer be allowed, as part of new measures to strengthen security and prevent further violence. He said the decision aims to ensure accountability and help identify those involved in acts of vandalism or violence.
The remarks came after the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops in Los Angeles to contain unrest that followed US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids. The operations sparked protests that escalated into confrontations, with demonstrators blocking main roads and throwing stones at police vehicles.
Trump emphasized that while the First Amendment protects the right to protest, acts of violence or attacks on law enforcement would be met with strict legal consequences.
Footage from the Paramount area of Los Angeles showed officers being pelted with stones while trying to exit the protest zone. Demonstrators chanted against police forces and used shopping carts and stones to block traffic.
Thomas Homan, a top border security official under Trump, told Fox News: "We will continue to deploy the National Guard tonight. You have the right to protest under the First Amendment, but if you attack officers or destroy property, there will be legal consequences."
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt confirmed that Trump had signed an official memorandum authorizing the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops, saying, "The president signed the order to confront the chaos that was left to spread unchecked."
Tensions Escalate Between Trump and California
California, a Democratic stronghold, has been at odds with Trump on several issues. Last month, Trump threatened to cut federal funding to the state over the participation of a transgender athlete in sporting events. His administration also canceled $126.4 million in flood prevention projects and criticized California’s handling of wildfires.
In response, California Governor Gavin Newsom warned Saturday that the state might withhold federal tax payments if Trump’s administration slashes funding significantly, reflecting deepening tensions between the White House and the state government.
