Trump warns against protester aggression as Harris condemns ICE raids and troop deployment in Los Angeles.

Trump Reinforces Military Presence as Violence Escalates

President Donald Trump has issued a forceful warning to protesters in Los Angeles, declaring that National Guard troops and federal personnel will not tolerate acts of aggression, including spitting. His statement follows several days of violent demonstrations in response to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations across the city.

“If they spit, we will hit,” Trump posted on Monday. “Such disrespect will not be tolerated.” He described the unrest as “catastrophic” and blamed California Governor Gavin Newsom for enabling the violence. The president emphasized that the situation, once spiraling out of control, is now improving due to a robust federal response.

The administration recently deployed 2,000 National Guard troops to restore order, followed by the mobilization of a battalion of 500 U.S. Marines from the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines at Twentynine Palms. According to defense officials, the Marines are tasked with protecting federal property and personnel. Their deployment is open-ended.

Harris Criticized for Remarks on ICE Raids

Former Vice President Kamala Harris sparked controversy after blaming the Trump administration for the unrest and condemning the ICE operations as “cruel” and divisive. “Deploying the National Guard is a dangerous escalation meant to provoke chaos,” Harris said, calling the protests “overwhelmingly peaceful.”

Harris’s comments triggered a sharp backlash from conservative figures, who accused her of downplaying the violence and siding with those disrupting public order. Critics argued her statements ignored the injuries sustained by federal officers and the destruction caused by the riots.

The protests erupted after ICE began targeted operations last Friday, arresting 45 individuals across various city locations. The agency reported apprehending violent offenders, including murderers and sex criminals. Federal agents were attacked with projectiles, and several were injured. One Border Patrol agent suffered a serious hand injury from a rock thrown through a vehicle windshield.

In contrast to federal authorities, California officials denounced the enforcement actions. Governor Newsom described the raids as “chaotic and reckless” and accused the Trump administration of using immigration policy to instill fear. Newsom’s office also objected to the military deployments, calling them “completely uncalled for.”

“Mobilizing the best in class branch of the U.S. military against its own citizens” is unprecedented, Newsom’s office posted, suggesting the move was more symbolic than tactical. The governor has since filed a lawsuit challenging the administration’s authority to activate California’s National Guard without state approval.

Trump defended the legality of the military involvement and argued that protecting federal assets and personnel was essential. “We have it very well under control,” he told reporters. “It was heading in the wrong direction. It's now heading in the right direction.”

While officials continue efforts to de-escalate tensions, protests remain volatile. Buildings and vehicles have been damaged, including police property. Law enforcement presence has expanded, and additional federal resources may be deployed if necessary.

The administration maintains that the operations are part of a broader effort to remove criminal non-citizens and restore law and order in sanctuary cities. Critics of the strategy, however, warn that the crackdown risks further inflaming civil unrest and undermining trust in public institutions.