(FOX40.COM) — California Governor Gavin Newsom announced a formal request for the Trump administration to rescind what he calls an unlawful deployment of troops in Los Angeles County amid escalating anti-deportation protests.
• Video Above: Protests against immigration enforcement escalate in LA
For the third day in a row, people in Southern California have been protesting against the sudden presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in the area. Thousands of people have taken over LA streets and even blocked off Highway 101, a major roadway in the area. Subsequently, President Donald Trump warned California leadership that if they didn’t get the protests under control, he would intervene.
“If Governor Gavin Newscum, of California, and Mayor Karen Bass, of Los Angeles, can’t do their jobs, which everyone knows they can’t, then the Federal Government will step in and solve the problem, RIOTS & LOOTERS, the way it should be solved!!!,”
Trump said on Truth Social
on Saturday.
The post was followed by an announcement by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt who said the National Guard was on its way to Los Angeles.
“In recent days, violent mobs have attacked ICE Officers and Federal Law Enforcement Agents carrying out basic deportation operations in Los Angeles, California,”
Leavitt said
. “These operations are essential to halting and reversing the invasion of illegal criminals into the United States. In the wake of this violence, California’s feckless Democrat leaders have completely abdicated their responsibility to protect their citizens.”
She added, “That is why President Trump has signed a Presidential Memorandum deploying 2,000 National Guardsmen to address the lawlessness that has been allowed to fester.”
Instead of intervening, Newsom told protestors to continue, but without violence.
“California, don’t give Donald Trump what he wants. Speak up. Stay peaceful. Stay calm. Do not use violence and respect the law enforcement officers that are trying their best to keep the peace,”
Newsom said
.
By Saturday night, military enforcement was amid the protests in LA. Since then, Newsom has been outspoken about his opposition to the move. On Sunday, he requested that the military leave LA.
“We didn’t have a problem until Trump got involved,”
Newsom said
. “This is a serious breach of state sovereignty — inflaming tensions while pulling resources from where they’re actually needed. Rescind the order. Return control to California.”
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