Washington [US], June 10: Tensions between the US federal government and the state of California have increased over protests in Los Angeles against strict immigration policies.
AFP news agency reported on June 10 that US President Donald Trump mobilized the Marine Corps to Los Angeles (California), and declared that he would deal with protesters against immigration policies in the toughest way possible.
The unusual mobilization of 700 professional soldiers alongside hundreds of National Guard troops is likely to further heighten tensions in the heavily Latino city.
California Governor Gavin Newsom criticized President Trump's move. " The United States Marine Corps has served honorably in many wars to defend democracy. They should not be deployed on American soil against their own people," he wrote on social network X, using many harsh words to criticize.
The deployment comes after protesters took over the streets of downtown Los Angeles on June 8, burning cars and looting stores, prompting law enforcement to respond with tear gas and rubber bullets.
"The people who are causing trouble are professional agitators and rioters," Mr Trump told reporters in Washington DC.
On social media, he said he had deployed the National Guard "to deal with violent, incited riots" and that "if we did not do so, Los Angeles would be completely destroyed."
The leader said it would be "great" if Governor Newsom was arrested, after the two clashed over protests in Los Angeles.
Earlier, Mr. Trump sent the National Guard to California without Mr. Newsom's consent, marking the first time a US President did so in 60 years.
As tensions rose, Newsom challenged Trump's border official Tom Homan over his arrest, after Homan said the governor and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass could be prosecuted for trying to obstruct immigration enforcement.
"I would do that if I were Tom. I think that would be great," Trump told reporters when asked whether Homan should arrest Newsom.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper
