President Donald Trump has implemented a nationwide ban on masks during protests following two days of violent confrontations between demonstrators and federal immigration agents in Los Angeles. The decision comes as 2,000 National Guard troops have been deployed to restore order in the nation’s second-largest city.
In a statement posted on Truth Social, President Trump commended the National Guard’s response to the LA unrest, writing: “Great job by the National Guard in Los Angeles after two days of violence, clashes and unrest.” The president criticized California Governor Gavin Newsom and LA Mayor Karen Bass for their handling of the crisis, calling them “incompetent” and drawing comparisons to their response to recent wildfires.
The most significant development from Trump’s announcement was the prohibition of face coverings during protests. “From now on, MASKS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED to be worn at protests,” Trump declared. “What do these people have to hide, and why???” The policy aims to ensure accountability and help law enforcement identify individuals involved in acts of vandalism or violence during demonstrations.
The unrest began following intensive Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations throughout Los Angeles, including raids in the city’s fashion district and at Home Depot locations. Over 100 immigrant arrests were reported during the weeklong operation, triggering widespread protests in heavily Latino communities. The most intense clashes occurred in Paramount, a city south of Los Angeles, where protesters and federal agents engaged in violent confrontations near a Department of Homeland Security office.
Dramatic scenes unfolded as protesters hurled rocks and cement at Border Patrol vehicles while federal agents responded with tear gas, flash-bang explosives, and pepper balls. Video footage showed officers being pelted with stones as they attempted to leave protest zones. Demonstrators used shopping carts and debris to block traffic on major roadways, while small fires burned in the streets from piles of refuse. The violence spread to neighboring Compton, where at least one vehicle was set ablaze during the confrontations.
The deployment of National Guard troops has intensified the ongoing political battle between the Trump administration and California’s Democratic leadership. Governor Newsom strongly opposed the federal intervention, calling it “purposefully inflammatory” and warning it would “only escalate tensions.” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth raised stakes further by threatening to deploy active-duty Marines from Camp Pendleton if violence continued. “If violence continues, active-duty Marines at Camp Pendleton will also be mobilized — they are on high alert,” Hegseth announced on social media. This threat represents a significant escalation, as deploying active-duty military for domestic law enforcement is rarely used and highly controversial.
Thomas Homan, a top border security official, emphasized the administration’s position on Fox News: “We will continue to deploy the National Guard tonight. You have the right to protest under the First Amendment, but if you attack officers or destroy property, there will be legal consequences.” White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt confirmed Trump had signed an official memorandum authorizing the National Guard deployment, stating the president acted “to confront the chaos that was left to spread unchecked.”
The LA protests represent the latest flashpoint in escalating tensions between California and the Trump administration. Recent conflicts include threats to cut federal funding over transgender athlete participation, cancellation of $126.4 million in flood prevention projects, and criticism of California’s wildfire response. Governor Newsom has warned the state might withhold federal tax payments if the administration significantly reduces funding to California.
The protests have significantly disrupted daily life in affected areas, with major roadways blocked by demonstrators, businesses forced to close during confrontations, hundreds of protesters gathering at various locations throughout the evening, and authorities erecting barbed wire barriers to control crowds. US Attorney for the Central District of California Bill Essayli confirmed that National Guard troops are expected to arrive within 24 hours to restore “peace and order.” However, the underlying tensions between federal immigration enforcement and local communities remain unresolved.
The mask ban policy is expected to face legal challenges, as civil liberties advocates argue it could infringe on First Amendment protections. The confrontation between federal and state authorities over immigration enforcement shows no signs of abating, with Trump implementing a nationwide mask ban for protests following LA violence, 2,000 National Guard troops deployed despite state opposition, ICE raids triggering widespread protests in Latino communities, threats of active-duty military deployment raising constitutional concerns, and federal-California tensions reaching new heights over immigration policy.