Los Angeles Police Order Immigration Protesters Downtown to Go Home
Los Angeles braced for another day of unrest on Monday over President Donald Trump's immigration policies, after police declared the city's downtown an unlawful assembly area and ordered protesters to go home.
California officials pushed back at the deployment of National Guard troops by the White House, saying they were unnecessary and had only inflamed the situation. Governor Gavin Newsom vowed to sue the federal government.
"This is exactly what Donald Trump wanted. He flamed the fires and illegally acted to federalize the National Guard," Newsom posted on X on Monday. "We're suing him."
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass blamed the Trump administration for inciting tension by sending in the Guard. She also condemned protesters after some burned cars and hurled bottles at police.
"I don't want people to fall into the chaos that I believe is being created by the administration completely unnecessarily," Bass told a press conference on Sunday.
The unrest in Los Angeles has become a flashpoint in Trump's signature effort to clamp down on illegal immigration.
The Republican president has pledged to deport record numbers of people who are in the country illegally and to lock down the US-Mexico border, setting the ICE border enforcement agency a daily goal of arresting at least 3,000 migrants.
Los Angeles police said some protesters had thrown concrete projectiles, bottles and other items at police. Police declared several rallies to be unlawful assemblies and later extended that to include the whole downtown area.
Several self-driving cars from Alphabet's Waymo were set ablaze on a downtown street on Sunday evening.
Police on horseback tried to control the crowds. Some officers used flash-bang grenades and tear gas, CNN reported.
Demonstrators shouted "Shame on you!" at police and some appeared to throw objects, video images showed. One group blocked the 101 Freeway, a downtown thoroughfare.
City Police Chief Jim McDonnell told a media briefing on Sunday evening that people had a right to protest peacefully, but the violence he had seen by some was "disgusting" and the protests were getting out of control.
Police said they had arrested 10 people on Sunday and 29 the previous night, adding arrests were continuing.
Vanessa Cardenas, head of the immigration advocacy group America's Voice, accused the Trump administration of "trumping up an excuse to abuse power, and deliberately stoke and force confrontations around immigration."
WHITE HOUSE RESPONDS
In response to California's threat to sue the government, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt posted on X that "Newsom did nothing as violent riots erupted in Los Angeles for days."
Asked if the National Guard was needed, Police Chief McDonnell said police would not "go to that right away," but added, "Looking at the violence tonight, I think we've got to make a reassessment."
In a social media post, Trump called on McDonnell to do so.
"He should, right now!!!" Trump added. "Don't let these thugs get away with this. Make America great again!!!"
The White House disputed Newsom's characterization of Trump inflaming the situation, saying in a statement, "Everyone saw the chaos, violence and lawlessness."
Earlier on Sunday, about a dozen National Guard members, along with Department of Homeland Security personnel, pushed back a group of demonstrators outside a federal building in downtown Los Angeles, video showed.
The US Northern Command said 300 members of the California National Guard had been deployed to three spots in the Los Angeles area.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem told CBS program "Face the Nation" that the National Guard would provide safety around buildings to people engaged in peaceful protest and law enforcement.
'ALL ACTION NECESSARY'
The Trump administration's immigration enforcement measures have also included residents who are in the country legally, some with permanent residence, spurring legal challenges.
In a social media post on Sunday, Trump called the demonstrators "violent, insurrectionist mobs" and said he was directing his cabinet officers "to take all such action necessary" to stop what he called riots.
Despite Trump's language, he has not invoked the Insurrection Act, an 1807 law that empowers a president to deploy the US military to suppress events such as civil disorder.
Asked on Sunday whether he was considering doing so, he said, "It depends on whether or not there's an insurrection."
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Saturday the Pentagon is prepared to mobilize active-duty troops "if violence continues" in Los Angeles, saying Marines at nearby Camp Pendleton were on high alert.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al Arabiya
17 minutes ago
- Al Arabiya
US State Dept resumes processing Harvard student visas after judge's ruling
The US State Department directed all US missions abroad and consular sections to resume processing Harvard University student and exchange visitor visas after a federal judge in Boston last week temporarily blocked President Donald Trump's ban on foreign students at the Ivy-League institution. In a diplomatic cable sent on June 6 and signed by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the State Department cited parts of the judge's decision, saying the fresh directive was 'in accordance with' the temporary restraining order. Under that order granted to Harvard late on Thursday, US District Judge Allison Burroughs blocked Trump's proclamation from taking effect pending further litigation of the matter. Trump had cited national security concerns as justification for barring international students from entering the United States to pursue studies at Harvard. The Trump administration has launched a multi-pronged attack on the nation's oldest and wealthiest university, freezing billions of dollars in grants and other funding and proposing to end its tax-exempt status, prompting a series of legal challenges. Harvard argues the administration is retaliating against it for refusing to accede to demands to control the school's governance, curriculum and the ideology of its faculty and students. The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In the cable, the State Department added that all other guidance regarding student visas remained in effect, including enhanced social media vetting and the requirement to review the applicants' online presence.
Arab News
33 minutes ago
- Arab News
How the easing of sanctions is aiding Syria's path back into the Arab fold
LONDON: Syria's slow return to the Arab fold is set to pick up pace. After Arab states cautiously reengaged following Bashar Assad's fall in December, plans by the US and EU to lift sanctions have turned hesitation into opportunity. As these barriers begin to ease, old allies are moving to renew ties — not only reviving diplomatic channels but also launching a high-stakes race to shape Syria's postwar recovery and revival. Leading the charge is Saudi Arabia, which has positioned itself as the key broker of Syria's regional reintegration. Riyadh has hosted members of Syria's new leadership and convened high-level meetings to coordinate Arab and international support for reconstruction. A turning point came on May 14, when Saudi Arabia hosted a landmark meeting between US President Donald Trump and Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa — the first such encounter between American and Syrian leaders in more than 25 years. The meeting, facilitated by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, took place just one day after Trump's surprise announcement that Washington would lift all sanctions on Syria. 'This shift in US policy came after President Trump and Secretary Marco Rubio became convinced that Syria could spiral back into chaos and civil war — something regional allies did not want — if economic conditions remained frozen and sanctions continued to block governance,' Sameer Sabounji, policy officer and director of legal affairs at the Syrian American Council, told Arab News. That decision has triggered a wave of normalization efforts across the region. With Saudi Arabia taking the lead, Arab states are ramping up economic, diplomatic and security cooperation, signaling a new phase in efforts to stabilize and rebuild the war-torn country. 'Arab states are invested in Syria's recovery,' said Sabounji. 'Which is why I think they helped 'warm' the Trump administration to Al-Sharaa and gave the US the confidence to be bold in Syria.' Signs of this momentum also emerged on May 20, when Jordan and Syria signed an agreement to form a Higher Coordination Council, highlighting deepening bilateral ties. Talks focused on expanding energy cooperation and linking electric grids to support Syria's reconstruction and transition. The effort is multilayered. In April, Saudi Arabia announced plans to pay off Syria's $15 million World Bank debt — a move intended to unlock international reconstruction grants and further integrate Syria into the region's economic framework. According to Sabounji, regional powers have strong incentives to push for sanctions relief. 'Arab countries and Turkiye stand to gain immensely from Syria's reconstruction, but sanctions were deterring serious investment,' he said. He added that stronger regional trade routes and cross-border pipeline projects — connecting Gulf Cooperation Council countries to Iraq, Turkiye, the Mediterranean and even Azerbaijan — could boost regional economies, promote self-sufficiency and incentivize greater cooperation from Israel. Echoing that view, Ghassan Ibrahim, founder of the Global Arab Network, likened sanctions relief to 'the fall of the Berlin Wall' for Syrians. 'These restrictions were the wall separating Syria from the rest of the world,' he told Arab News. 'Now, Syrians feel more open and optimistic — there's a growing sense that Syria is a land of opportunity.' This optimism is not only economic but also geopolitical. Ibrahim Al-Assil, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, highlighted Syria's pivotal geography in broader regional ambitions. 'It's because of the location of Syria and the potential of Syria in the region, and in the regional aspiration of the Saudis and the economic prosperity that Syria could contribute to this — Syria is at a very sensitive spot on the map,' he told CNN last month. 'Stabilizing Syria could help stabilize the Middle East.' Al-Assil argued that a revitalized Syrian economy would directly benefit neighboring countries like Lebanon, Jordan, and Turkiye by enabling refugee returns and unlocking cross-border development. 'Any improvement in the Syrian economy would be felt directly in Lebanon, would be felt directly in Jordan, and that would also open the doors for the Syrian refugees to go back to their countries, similar for Turkiye, also,' he said. 'Syria connects Turkiye and Europe to Arabia, and the rest of the Middle East.' Beyond economic considerations, security remains a critical concern. Syria's location at the crossroads of Asia, Europe and Africa has long made it a key player in regional dynamics. But that same geography has also facilitated the spread of captagon, a powerful amphetamine that has flooded Gulf markets. Syria's southern border with Jordan — particularly the Nassib crossing — has become a key route for drug smuggling. Gulf states, especially Saudi Arabia, consider the captagon trade a serious threat to social stability and security. Allegations that the Assad regime used the drug trade as leverage to regain regional acceptance have only added urgency to normalization efforts. 'The Assad regime flooded the region with drugs like captagon, sparking addiction crises in the region, and causing chaos and instability, driving displacement, which added strain to the region,' said Sabounji. A more stable Syria would help curb drug smuggling and reduce the flow of illegal weapons. 'It would also help curb or even prevent a resurgence of Daesh,' said Sabounji. 'The interim Syrian government's efforts to disrupt and apprehend smuggling networks also helps promote border security and reduces the illegal flow of weapons.' Though territorially defeated in 2019, Daesh remains active in Syria, with about 2,500 fighters operating primarily in the east and northeast. Persistent instability and a diminished foreign military presence have allowed the organization to regroup, especially in areas near the Euphrates River and major cities like Damascus. • Syria was suspended from the Arab League in 2011 over Assad's violent crackdown on anti-government protests. • It was readmitted in May 2023, signaling a regional push for normalization despite persistent challenges. • The isolated Assad regime relied on support from Russia and Iran to defy sanctions throughout the civil war. Addressing this threat requires coordinated counterterrorism and stronger governance — something regional actors now see as achievable through reintegration rather than isolation. Sabounji also highlighted another strategic dimension: countering Iranian influence. 'Re-welcoming Syria into the Arab fold would counterbalance Iran's position and influence in the region,' he said. Ibrahim of the Global Arab Network agreed, suggesting that many regional powers view sanctions relief as a way to shift Syria away from reliance on Iran and, to a lesser extent, Russia — toward more moderate Arab and global partnerships. 'One of the key impacts of lifting sanctions is improved security — both inside Syria and across the region,' he said. 'It's also likely to influence the government's behavior, encouraging it to choose more constructive partners. 'When Syria was under heavy sanctions, it had limited options and would engage with anyone willing to offer support. But now, with sanctions being lifted quickly, the government is being pushed to align itself with more moderate actors.' Iran's regional role has long been a point of contention. Its support for proxy groups like Hezbollah and the Houthis, pursuit of nuclear capabilities, and efforts to undermine state institutions through militias have alarmed both Arab and Western policymakers. 'Arab countries welcome the chance to build a more stable and prosperous Syria,' said Sabounji. 'They think Al-Sharaa can accomplish that. He needs help, though, and sanctions relief is a prerequisite.' He added that regional actors are exhausted by conflict and are eager for a future focused on growth and stability. 'This is a bold and refreshing Middle East foreign policy,' said Sabounji. 'The Trump administration is signaling that regional problems need regional solutions.' That shift reflects a departure from traditional US interventionism. 'Instead of dictating policy, the US listened to what Arab countries and Turkiye were saying to it. They want to stabilize Syria and want the US to lift sanctions to enable them to do that.' And then there is the possibility of doing business. 'I'm sure President Trump also did not want US companies to be held back by sanctions and not be able to compete for lucrative deals in Syria's reconstruction,' said Sabounji. The new policy recalibrates US-Arab relations and sends a message. 'Israel is no longer the only voice Washington listens to in the region,' he said. 'The administration is clearly pushing for harmony in the region, but it is also not waiting on Israel anymore. It has decided to strike ahead with improving or cultivating closer relations with each country, such as Saudi Arabia, Syria and Iran, even if dialogue or normalization with Israel stalls.' Syria's path back to the fold began with a long exile. In November 2011, the Arab League suspended Syria in response to the Assad regime's violent crackdown on anti-government protests. Still, Syria remained central to Arab diplomacy. Over time, countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia shifted their approach, seeking to curb Iranian and Turkish sway. These evolving dynamics paved the way for Syria's return to the Arab League in 2023, after 12 years of isolation, despite lingering concerns about the Assad regime's conduct. Following Assad's ouster in December 2024, Saudi Arabia quickly emerged as the lead Arab player in Syria's reentry. In January 2025, Riyadh hosted Syria's new foreign minister, Asaad Al-Shaibani, marking the first high-level meeting since the leadership change. That same month, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan visited Damascus, highlighting support for Syria's recovery. Then, in February, Al-Sharaa made his first official foreign trip to the Kingdom, where he met Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to discuss deepening diplomatic and economic ties. Other Gulf states have since followed suit, pledging support for Syria's reconstruction. The international community is watching closely to see how the new government treats minorities and maintains stability. After more than a decade of turmoil, Syria's return to the Arab world may finally be within reach. But its success hinges on the careful balancing of regional interests, global engagement and a genuine commitment to rebuilding a fractured nation.
Al Arabiya
an hour ago
- Al Arabiya
Trump says he discussed Iran with Netanyahu
US President Donald Trump said Tehran was a tough negotiator as talks continued for a nuclear deal, and said he discussed Iran among other topics with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday. 'We're doing a lot of work on Iran right now,' Trump said at an economic event at the White House. 'It's tough. ... They're great negotiators.'
