LA clashes escalate as Trump, Newsom spar over troops

Tensions flared in Los Angeles on the third day of anti-deportation protests, as demonstrators clashed with law enforcement while President Donald Trump and California Governor Gavin Newsom exchanged blame over the unrest and responsibility for restoring order.

- Alicia A. Caldwell & John Gittelsohn

The deployment of National Guard troops by Trump over the weekend, despite the objections of state and city officials, led to growing friction between local leaders and the administration.

Newsom said he formally requested the White House rescind the "unlawful" order and return the troops to his command, warning it would only ramp up tensions. The governor said that California is going to sue the administration over the action.

"He flamed the fires and illegally acted to federalize the National Guard," Newsom posted Monday on X. "The order he signed doesn't just apply to CA. It will allow him to go into ANY STATE and do the same thing."

LA Police Chief Jim McDonnell said Sunday evening many of the earlier protests around the city had been peaceful, but that conditions deteriorated as people committing vandalism and violence replaced daytime demonstrators.