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
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