Trump bans protesters from wearing masks as LA burns: ‘What do these people have to hide?’

US President Donald Trump declared a prohibition on wearing masks at demonstrations as tensions rose in Los Angeles on Sunday during large protests against Trump’s immigration policies.

On Sunday, Trump posted on Truth Social that “from now on MAKS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED  to be worn at protests,” though it’s unclear if the federal government has the authority to make such a decree.

On Monday, Trump emphasized, “Don’t forget, NO MASKS!” while criticizing Los Angeles Governor Gavin Newsom for the “terrible job they have performed”.

The President of the U.S. stated, “Governor Gavin Newsom and ‘Mayor’ Bass owe an apology to the citizens of Los Angeles for the truly terrible job they have done, which now includes the current L.A. riots.” These individuals are not protesters; they are troublemakers and insurrectionists. “Keep in mind, WITHOUT MASKS!”

In a social media update, the President announced he has instructed Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and Attorney General Pam Bondi, along with all pertinent Departments and Agencies, “to undertake all actions required to free Los Angeles from the Migrant Invasion and put a stop to these Migrant riots.”

To confront demonstrators, Trump sent in hundreds of National Guard troops, escalating protests in the area. He stated the National Guard performed a “great job” while reiterating his administration’s criticisms of Newsom and Bass.

“Great job by the National Guard in Los Angeles after two days of violence, clashes and unrest. We have an incompetent Governor [Newscum] and Mayor (Bass) who were, as usual (just look at how they handled the fires, and now their VERY SLOW PERMITTING disaster…,” Trump said.

The National Guard’s arrival came after two days of demonstrations that started on Friday in downtown Los Angeles and then expanded on Saturday to Paramount and nearby Compton.

Actions taken by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Los Angeles triggered significant protests throughout the area on Friday. The tense showdown between protesters and police occurred a day after masked and armed immigration agents conducted notable workplace raids in different areas of Los Angeles.

Numerous individuals were arrested during operations throughout Los Angeles for “immigration violations.” The ICE reported making 2,000 arrests of undocumented individuals daily across the country this week, with 118 of those arrests occurring in the LA region. Over 1,000 demonstrators gathered around a federal structure in downtown LA on Friday, with further protests occurring on Saturday in Paramount, located just south of the city. Local news outlets stated that tear gas and flashbang grenades were used to scatter the crowds.