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President Donald Trump on Monday called for the arrest of masked protesters as anti-ICE demonstrations spread from Los Angeles to San Francisco, escalating tensions surrounding the administration’s immigration enforcement measures.
Trump issued the demand in a post on X, stating, “ARREST THE PEOPLE IN FACE MASKS, NOW!”
His remarks came following a wave of protests that began in Southern California over the weekend and intensified following the deployment of 2,0000 National Guard troops to assist federal agents.
Unrest erupted Saturday in the city of Paramount, where demonstrators clashed with immigration agents outside a Home Depot parking lot. Protesters reportedly threw concrete, rocks and fireworks at law enforcement vehicles. Federal agents responded with tear gas, pepper balls and flash-bang grenades.
On Sunday, the demonstrations escalated further in downtown Los Angeles, with crowds taking over portions of the 101 Freeway and setting several self-driving vehicles on fire. At least 300 National Guard troops were deployed to protect federal buildings, including the Metropolitan Detention Center.
San Francisco became the latest city to experience similar protests Sunday evening. A demonstration near an ICE office turned violent, resulting in injuries to three officers and approximately 60 arrests. What began as a peaceful rally quickly devolved as groups of masked protesters blocked intersections and confronted law enforcement.
San Francisco officials condemned the violence while emphasizing the right to peaceful assembly. Mayor Daniel Lurie vowed that authorities would restore order and ensure the safety of city residents.
“My first priority as mayor is, and has always been, the safety of everyone who lives or works in San Francisco. I have been coordinating with local law enforcement and city departments throughout the weekend to keep everyone safe during this evening’s protest, and I am with our city’s public safety leadership right now, getting real-time updates from the ground,” Lurie wrote.
“Violence directed at law enforcement or public servants is never acceptable,” he added.
California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom criticized Trump’s decision to send National Guard troops to Los Angeles without the state’s consent, calling it a “serious breach of state sovereignty.” He stated that the deployment was intended to provoke and inflame tensions rather than enhance public safety.
