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News Topical, Digital Desk : Tensions escalated Sunday after President Donald Trump deployed the National Guard to Los Angeles, as thousands of protesters took to the streets, blocking a major freeway and setting autorickshaws on fire.
There were also incidents of explosions due to fire. The protesters were shouting slogans of 'shame' and 'go home' in front of the National Guard. Tear gas, rubber bullets and flash bangs were used to control the crowd.
Seeing the seriousness of the situation, Trump instructed Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell on Truth Social to arrest protesters wearing face masks. Trump wrote - 'The situation in Los Angeles is very bad. Call the army.'
Crowd gathering is now illegal in America
Speaking to reporters in New Jersey, he threatened violence against protesters who spit on police or National Guard troops, saying, "They spit, we hit." However, he did not cite any specific incident. Police declared the gathering of people in one place illegal.
Protesters threw pieces of concrete, rocks and fireworks at California Highway Patrol officers and their vehicles. Officers had to take cover under an overpass for protection.
In Los Angeles, protests were concentrated in several blocks on Sunday. It was the third day of demonstrations against Trump's immigration policies. The deployment of the National Guard has sparked anger and fear among many residents. The Guard was specifically deployed to protect federal buildings, including the detention center where protesters gathered.
Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell said officers were feeling overwhelmed by protesters. Several people were arrested Sunday, including one man who threw a Molotov cocktail at police and another who drove a motorcycle into a police line.
This is the work of a dictator, not a president
California Governor Gavin Newsam has called the deployment of the National Guard illegal. He requested the Trump administration to withdraw the order to deploy the National Guard. He said that these are the actions of a dictator, not the President.
Trump cited a provision of Title 10
Trump's justification for deploying the National Guard cited a provision in Title 10 of the U.S. Code on the armed forces. However, Title 10 also states that orders for these purposes would be issued through the state governor.
It was not immediately clear whether the president had the legal authority to deploy National Guard troops without Governor Newsom's order.
Title 10 allows the deployment of the National Guard by the federal government if there is a threat of insurrection or rebellion against the authority of the government of the United States. Those troops are only allowed to engage in limited activities and cannot perform normal law enforcement activities.
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