Trump criticizes LA protesters as 'rioters'...deploys National Guard

U.S. President Donald Trump on the 9th (local time) criticized protesters opposing the crackdown on illegal immigrants in Los Angeles (LA), California, calling them 'rioters.'

According to CNN, President Trump, speaking to reporters at the White House, said regarding the LA protests, "Those causing trouble are professional agitators and rioters. They are bad people and should be in jail."

Through 'Truth Social,' President Trump stated, "Deploying the National Guard to suppress the violent and inflammatory riots in California was an excellent decision," adding, "Had we not done so, LA would have been completely destroyed."

He also said, "The very incompetent California Governor Gavin Newscum and LA Mayor Karen Bass should have said, 'President Trump, thank you so much. You are truly outstanding, and we are nothing without you.'"

He continued, "Nevertheless, they deny that we helped, claiming that this incident was a peaceful protest and lying to the people of California and the citizens of America."

Additionally, President Trump emphasized, "Anyone can see the situation just by looking at the photos and videos of violence and destruction," and "We will always do what is necessary to protect the safety of the people, and together, we will make America great again."

Meanwhile, protests against the large-scale crackdown by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have continued for three days in LA since the 6th. Over the past weekend, clashes between police and protesters intensified the demonstrations near downtown LA.

In response, President Trump signed a presidential memorandum on the 7th to deploy 2,000 National Guard troops for riot control, and also suggested the possibility of invoking the 'Insurrection Act.'