Nighttime curfew in central Los Angeles; Trump vows to "liberate" the city

The Los Angeles City Council declared a local emergency and imposed a nighttime curfew in the city center following overnight clashes between security forces and protesters against US President Donald Trump's immigration policies.

The ban came after the Republican president escalated his rhetoric, claiming the city was "under attack by foreign enemies."

Al-Arabiya TV in Los Angeles, Mohammed Badin, reported that the curfew went into effect at 3:00 GMT, as the streets were empty of protesters.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass attributed her decision to "stopping vandalism and looting."

"Last night, 23 businesses were looted, and I think if you drive around downtown Los Angeles, the graffiti is everywhere and it's caused significant damage to businesses and a number of properties," Bass said.

Following days of nighttime clashes between law enforcement and protesters opposing the mass deportation of undocumented immigrants, Trump made the extraordinary decision on Monday to deploy 700 Marines to the city.

Trump escalates his rhetoric

In a speech to soldiers at Fort Bragg in North Carolina on Tuesday, Trump said, "This lawlessness will not continue, and we will not allow federal law enforcement personnel to be attacked, or an American city to be overrun and occupied by foreign enemies."

He added, "What you are witnessing in California is a comprehensive assault on peace, public order, and national sovereignty, carried out by rioters waving foreign flags to continue a foreign invasion of our country," adding that his administration "will liberate Los Angeles."

The US president also launched a scathing attack on the protesters, describing them as "animals" and accusing them of "proudly carrying the flags of other countries."

He also directly criticized California Governor Gavin Newsom and former President Joe Biden.

In a related context, Trump called on Europe to act "before it's too late" to combat "uncontrolled immigration," citing the ongoing protests in Los Angeles against his immigration policies.

Trump said: "As the whole world is seeing now, uncontrolled immigration leads to chaos, disorder, and lack of order. This is the case in Europe as well, and they had better do something about it before it's too late."

On Friday, protests erupted in Los Angeles after Trump suddenly escalated his campaign to deport undocumented immigrants, whom he says have "invaded" the United States.

On Tuesday, California authorities asked the judiciary to issue a warrant to prevent the deployment of military forces on the streets of Los Angeles.

"Sending combat-hardened individuals into the streets is unprecedented and threatens the very essence of our democracy," said Governor Gavin Newsom, adding that Trump "is acting like a tyrant, not a president, and we ask the court to immediately halt these unlawful practices."

This is the first time since 1965 that a US president has deployed the National Guard without a request from a state governor.

The National Guard is typically called in during natural disasters such as the Los Angeles fires, and sometimes during civil unrest, but generally with the approval of local officials.

US law also largely prohibits the use of the military as a law enforcement force, unless there is a rebellion.

Trump has threatened to invoke the Anti-Insurrection Act, which would give him the authority to use the military to enforce the law across the country.