Curfew imposed in downtown LA after protests, looting spark chaos –

 
A limited curfew came into effect from Tuesday in several areas of downtown Los Angeles, California, following several nights of unrest triggered by the Trump administration’s immigration raids.  
 
 
The announcement was made by Mayor Karen Bass, who said the city had witnessed escalating violence, arson, and looting in the wake of federal enforcement actions. The curfew will be enforced from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. and may continue for several days. However, Mayor Bass clarified that residents and people working in the area will be exempt.
 
 
Masked looters have targeted several businesses. Videos circulating online show widespread vandalism, with shelves emptied and storefronts damaged. Law enforcement responded with arrests as the chaos intensified. The Los Angeles Police Department was stretched thin in the face of the unrest.
Mayor Bass, addressing reporters, acknowledged the strain on local police but slammed federal interference, particularly the Trump administration’s decision to deploy military forces without state consent. Her remarks come after President Donald Trump announced the deployment of more than 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines to California, a move that has been widely criticised by state officials.
 
 
The President cited an “assault on peace and public order” and threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act, a rarely used federal law, to crack down on protesters.
California Governor Gavin Newsom responded sharply, saying Trump’s actions amount to an infringement on state sovereignty. California is now preparing to challenge Trump’s decision in court, arguing that the President has bypassed the state’s authority.
 
 
The dual jurisdiction of the National Guard under both state and federal oversight has led to a standoff, with California asserting that Trump’s actions are both illegal and inflammatory.
At the heart of the unrest is last week’s immigration crackdown by the Trump administration, which saw Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents conduct high-profile raids in Los Angeles.