As protests against illegal immigrant crackdowns by the Donald Trump administration intensified in Los Angeles, California, President Trump banned protesters from wearing masks.
President Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social on the 8th (local time), "From now on, masks will not be allowed during protests," and added, "What are you trying to hide, and why?"
President Trump ordered the deployment of at least 2,000 National Guard members to California under the National Defense Act before posting this message. He also noted, "The National Guard did a great job in LA despite violence, clashes, and unrest over the past two days."
President Trump criticized California Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass as "incompetent and, as always, failing to do their jobs properly." He also claimed, "Radical left protesters who incite and often instigate problems will not be tolerated."
The situation escalated over the weekend when federal immigration authorities raided workplaces in the LA area to crack down on illegal immigrants. As the crackdown continued, protests erupted in major cities across California, including LA.