President Donald Trump has pledged to restore order in Los Angeles, vowing to ‘set the city free’ amidst ongoing protests. He has instructed Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Attorney General Pam Bondi to take necessary actions to ‘liberate Los Angeles from the migrant invasion’ and quell the ‘migrant riots’. These demonstrations followed raids by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, which led to the arrest of numerous undocumented immigrants. Trump has also deployed 2,000 National Guard troops to address the situation. Trump expressed his view that the city has been overrun and that federal agents are under attack. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass expressed confidence in the ability of local law enforcement to manage the protests, rejecting the need for federal intervention. However, a contingent of 300 troops has already been dispatched to three locations across the city. California Governor Gavin Newsom criticized the federal response, calling it inflammatory and warning of its potential to erode public trust.
