Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass announced a curfew for a significant portion of downtown on Tuesday night, set to be enforced from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. local time, to curb unrest linked to ongoing protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Meanwhile, California Governor Gavin Newsom delivered a pointed televised address, once again criticizing President Donald Trump for his decision to send military forces to quell the demonstrations, calling this moment a “perilous” time for America.
Protests have escalated across the state, with Texas Governor Greg Abbott stating he would deploy the Texas National Guard to maintain order in response to anticipated protests in San Antonio. In a post on X, Abbott emphasized, “Peaceful protest is legal. Harming a person or property is illegal & will lead to arrest.”
In his address, Newsom characterized Trump as “a president who wants to be bound by no law or constitution,” pointing out that such a stance threatens democratic values. He declared, “California may be first, but it clearly won’t end here,” warning that the assault on democracy could extend beyond the state.
Highlighting Trump’s history, Newsom criticized the president’s recent pardons of individuals involved in the January 6 Capitol riots, stating, “What more evidence do we need than January 6th.”
The curfew was introduced to address the actions of “bad actors” taking advantage of national tensions, according to Bass, who warned that law enforcement would prosecute those who violated the order. Hours earlier, U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer rejected Newsom’s request for an emergency ruling to block federal troop deployment to Los Angeles, setting deadlines for both parties to respond to ongoing legal challenges.
The Trump administration defended its troop deployment, claiming it was necessary for safety and calling Newsom’s objections “legally meritless.” Meanwhile, it is estimated that the deployment of federal troops will cost $134 million, mostly for temporary assignments and associated expenses.
The political environment has grown increasingly heated, with House Speaker Mike Johnson suggesting harsh consequences for Newsom’s handling of protests, to which Newsom responded that such threats illustrated a desire to revert the country back to outdated norms.
In a separate incident, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned police actions after an Australian journalist was struck by a rubber bullet during coverage of the protests, labeling the occurrence “horrific” and emphasizing the importance of press freedoms.
While demonstrations in Los Angeles have drawn thousands of participants, police reported multiple arrests due to vandalism after a few individuals diverged from the main, peaceful protests. Law enforcement declared an “UNLAWFUL ASSEMBLY” in downtown, urging people to vacate the area immediately.
As the situation develops, and with approximately 700 Marines expected to arrive in the area, Newsom warned that if the federal government continues with this military presence, he would take legal action, calling it an unlawful infringement on state rights. He reiterated his demands for federal troops to be rescinded, insisting on the need for local control during what he described as a vital moment for state sovereignty.
In remarks to MSNBC, Newsom dared the Trump administration to arrest him over his pushback against the troop deployment, maintaining that while he is prepared to face political fallout, the welfare of his community remains paramount.
Deploying military personnel to Los Angeles amidst civil unrest has drawn widespread criticism, with Newsom voicing concerns over the implications of such actions for democracy and civil liberties, framing the events as not just a regional issue but as a broader threat to national values.