California governor Gavin Newsom on Trump: ‘He’s hoping for chaos’
On Sunday, California governor Gavin Newsom urged protestors to stay peaceful, saying that Donald Trump is “sending 2,000 national guard troops into LA county – not to meet an unmet need, but to manufacture a crisis”.
Newsom, who previously warned that Trump’s decision was for the sake of a spectacle, said:
“He’s hoping for chaos so he can justify more crackdowns, more fear, more control. Stay calm. Never use violence. Stay peaceful.”
Key events
The LA Times reports that the Department of Homeland Security has declared the crowd on the street outside the Metropolitan Detention Center in downtown LA an “unlawful assembly”.
DHS is now declaring an unlawful assembly here. LAPD is not present. I am not aware if federal authorities can even enforce that order beyond their property (which at present no protester is on. The crowd has been pushed into the street by the prior volley of force)
— James Queally (@JamesQueallyLAT) June 8, 2025
Earlier Chris Murphy, a Democratic senator for Connecticut, said in one of the most direct rebukes:
Important to remember that Trump isn’t trying to heal or keep the peace. He is looking to inflame and divide. His movement doesn’t believe in democracy or protest – and if they get a chance to end the rule of law they will take it. None of this is on the level.
‘Don’t give Donald Trump what he wants’: Gavin Newsom urges protesters to stay peaceful
California’s governor, Gavin Newsom, has called on demonstrators to keep protests peaceful and not “give Donald Trump what he wants”.
In a post on X, he wrote:
California — Don’t give Donald Trump what he wants.
Speak up. Stay peaceful. Stay calm.
Do not use violence and respect the law enforcement officers that are trying their best to keep the peace.
The large crowd outside the Metropolitan detention center appears peaceful, with demonstrators carrying flags and signs, standing against a line of national guard soldiers wearing shields, helmets and gas masks.
Last night, Newsom posted on X that the federal government sought a “spectacle” by deploying the National Guard and urged protestors not to give them one. He said:
The federal government is taking over the California National Guard and deploying 2,000 soldiers in Los Angeles — not because there is a shortage of law enforcement, but because they want a spectacle. Don’t give them one. Never use violence. Speak out peacefully.
This is from the Los Angeles Times:
Nat Guard/DHS threw tear gas canisters and smoke grenades into the crowd. Protesters and media hit. Pellet rounds deployed. All to seemingly clear path for a convoy of DHS/Border Patrol vehicles. I got hit but fine after an eye rinse. pic.twitter.com/qu2abdfscX
— James Queally (@JamesQueallyLAT) June 8, 2025
Pepper balls deployed against protesters outside Metropolitan detention center – CNN
CNN reports:
Law enforcement has launched pepper balls into the crowd outside of the Metropolitan Detention Center in an effort to disperse protestors, some of whom are seen throwing water bottles at officials and carrying signs decrying the police force, video shows.
Protestors have been clashing with National Guard, ICE and DHS agents outside of the detention center in Los Angeles on Sunday, where demonstrators gathered in the latest iteration of protests against the immigration raids that swept across California over the weekend.
In at least one instance earlier today, the National Guard appeared to use pepper balls, spray and tear gas to create a path for armored vehicles to enter the detention center. The crowd has spilled into the street, blocking traffic.
National guard appear to throw tear gas canisters at protesters – NBC
National guard members deployed what appeared to be tear gas canisters at protesters on Alameda this afternoon, according to NBC News.
Protesters had gathered around a federal building where National Guard members were deployed. The National Guard members threw canisters that let out a smoke-like material when they hit the ground. The action made the crowd disperse.
The crowd began to slowly gather around the federal building again minutes after the incident. National Guard members have created a perimeter around the building.
Trump’s deployment of national guard is a ‘chaotic escalation’, says LA mayor
Trump’s decision to deploy the national guard to Los Angeles is a “chaotic escalation”, the city’s mayor, Karen Bass, has said.
In a post on X, Bass wrote:
This morning, President Trump deployed the National Guard into Los Angeles.
Deploying federalized troops on the heels of these raids is a chaotic escalation.
The fear people are feeling in our city right now is very real – it’s felt in our communities and within our families and it puts our neighborhoods at risk. This is the last thing that our city needs, and I urge protestors to remain peaceful.
I’ve been in touch this morning with immigrant rights leaders as well as local law enforcement officials. Los Angeles will always stand with everyone who calls our city home.
This footage is from CNN. It shows national guard soldiers moving forward and pushing protesters back in LA.
NBC News reports that a group of protesters have gathered in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of LA.
Video shows the protesters scattered in an area near National Guard vehicles. One protester is carrying a Mexican flag. National Guard members have formed a perimeter around their vehicles, and are facing the protesters.
The protesters plan to march to downtown Los Angeles to join a rally planned for 2pm local time.
Trump suggests he’s not prepared to invoke Insurrection Act, saying he doesn’t think events in California are an ‘insurrection’
Asked if he’s prepared to invoke the Insurrection Act, Donald Trump told reporters in New Jersey: “It depends on whether or not there’s an insurrection.”
Asked if he thinks there is one, Trump replied: “No, no, but we have violent people and we’re not going to let them get away with it.”
In response to another journalist’s question, Trump said: “I think you’re going to see some very strong law and order.”
Other lawmakers from outside California also condemning Donald Trump’s decision to send in the national guard in response to the protests against federal immigration crackdowns.
In a post on X on Sunday, Vermont’s Democratic representative Becca Balint said:
“ICE descended upon immigrant communities in LA, targeting innocent people just trying to live their lives, and when ICE was met with fierce opposition Trump deployed the National Guard. This is not ‘going after criminals,’ it’s a scary escalation meant to sow even more fear and division.”
