Trump Condemns Disrespect Toward National Guard in LA: Vows Zero Tolerance and Strong Response
Protesters and National Guard clash amid ongoing ICE raids in Los Angeles streets.
President Donald Trump issued a forceful warning on Monday, granting National Guard personnel deployed in Los Angeles explicit authorization to respond physically if confronted with acts of disrespect by protesters. The president’s statement comes amid ongoing protests in the city, which he characterized as “catastrophic” and attributed to opposition toward his administration’s immigration enforcement policies.
In a sharply worded post on his Truth Social platform, President Trump denounced what he called "Gavin Newscum inspired Riots," referencing California Governor Gavin Newsom without mincing words. He condemned the unrest that has, over recent days, seen thousands take to the streets, following reports of aggressive federal immigration raids and detentions throughout Southern California. Demonstrators have cited concerns about human rights abuses and the separation of families at the border as central grievances.
As protests intensified, city officials declared parts of downtown Los Angeles an “unlawful assembly,” while tensions continued to escalate between demonstrators and law enforcement. According to the president, members of the National Guard had encountered repeated instances where protesters spat in their faces. “These Patriots are told to accept this, it’s just the way life runs. But not in the Trump Administration,” he wrote, emphasizing a zero tolerance policy for such actions going forward.
“IF THEY SPIT, WE WILL HIT,” Trump declared emphatically in his post, further vowing that retaliation would be swift and severe. “I promise you they will be hit harder than they have ever been hit before.” He closed his message by reiterating, “Such disrespect will not be tolerated.”
Governor Newsom responded by challenging federal authority and openly daring officials to arrest him, escalating the standoff between state and federal leadership. Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies braced for further demonstrations, as the city remained on high alert. Civil rights advocates expressed alarm at the president’s remarks, warning of potential escalations in violence and urging restraint from both authorities and protesters alike.
