Trump Bans Masks at Protests, Deploys Guard as LA Unrest Escalates

 

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LOS ANGELES, June 9, 2025 (PulseNext) – Amid escalating tensions and protests in Los Angeles, former President Donald Trump announced a controversial ban on wearing masks at protests and deployed National Guard troops to the city, sharply criticizing local Democratic leadership.

Mask Ban Declared

        Trump took to Truth Social on Sunday, declaring, "from now on, MASKS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED to be worn at protests." He doubled down on Monday, reiterating "Remember, NO MASKS!" while lashing out at California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.

         "What do these people have to hide?" Trump questioned in his posts, labeling the demonstrators not as protesters but as "troublemakers and insurrectionists." He demanded Newsom and Bass "apologize to the people of Los Angeles for the absolutely horrible job that they have done," linking the current unrest to his criticism of their handling of wildfires and permitting.

           The legality and enforceability of a federal mask ban at protests remains highly uncertain, raising immediate questions about jurisdiction and First Amendment implications.

National Guard Deployed, "Liberate LA" Ordered

         Trump confirmed the deployment of "hundreds" of National Guard troops to Los Angeles, stating they had done a "great job" after "two days of violence, clashes and unrest." He again targeted Newsom (repeatedly calling him "Newscum" [sic]) and Bass as "incompetent."

         In a significant escalation of rhetoric and action, Trump announced he had directed key cabinet members – Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Attorney General Pam Bondi – "to take all such action necessary to liberate Los Angeles from the Migrant Invasion, and put an end to these Migrant riots."

Trump described Los Angeles as being "invaded and occupied by Illegal Aliens and Criminals."

Protests Sparked by ICE Raids

               The current wave of protests erupted on Friday following highly visible workplace raids conducted across Los Angeles by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Masked and armed agents detained dozens of individuals accused of "immigration violations." ICE stated it arrested approximately 2,000 undocumented individuals nationwide daily this week, including 118 in the Los Angeles area.

On Friday, over 1,000 protesters surrounded a federal building in downtown LA. Demonstrations spread to Paramount and Compton on Saturday. Reports from local media described clashes where tear gas and flash-bang grenades were deployed to disperse crowds.

The arrival of National Guard troops followed these two days of intense demonstrations. Trump's inflammatory language, the mask ban directive, the characterization of protests as "riots" and an "invasion," and the deployment of military forces mark a significant ratcheting up of the federal response.

Governor Newsom and Mayor Bass are expected to condemn Trump's actions and rhetoric strongly. The situation in Los Angeles remains volatile, with the mask ban order adding a new layer of controversy and potential confrontation to an already tense standoff rooted in immigration enforcement. Legal challenges to the mask ban are anticipated


Disclaimer: Only the headline and image of this report may have been modified by the PulseNext team; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed

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