The tension on the streets of Los Angeles reflects a widening gulf between California’s political leaders and the federal government.
The state’s Democratic governor, Gavin Newsom, accused the White House of “sowing chaos” as “an excuse to escalate”.
His comments came after President Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, confirmed their intention to deploy the National Guard.
Presidents usually roll out the National Guard in consultation with state governors. Not this time.
Donald Trump seized the opportunity to use federal force – ordering 2,000 guardsmen on to the streets.
Defence secretary Pete Hegseth went further, announcing that active-duty Marines stationed nearby had been placed on “high alert” for mobilisation.
Posting on X, Governor Newsom responded: “The Secretary of Defence is now threatening to deploy active-duty Marines on American soil against its own citizens. This is deranged behaviour.”
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Smarting from his spat with Elon Musk, the president weighed on the LA protests before attending a mixed martial arts fight in New Jersey.
“If the Mayor and Governor can’t do their jobs, we will step in and solve the problem,” he posted on his Truth Social platform.
But there is no problem to solve, according to Los Angeles Police Department, reporting the demonstrations now “peaceful”.
