Trump directs ICE to expand deportations in Democratic-run cities, including Los Angeles

A small fire erupted behind an LAPD skirmish line Sunday night in downtown Los Angeles as protests against immigration raids escalated.

It was unclear who or what ignited the blaze, which burned on a sidewalk as Los Angeles Police Department officers on horseback chased several individuals who ran from the scene.

One man who was running away tripped and fell in the middle of the street and was immediately surrounded by officers on foot and on horses. Fireworks ignited as the man stood up and began walking away; a police officer grabbed him and quickly pulled him to the ground.

Whether the man was among the 27 people who were arrested during the protests was unknown.

A fire broke out while LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell was speaking to news media Sunday night about his department's response.

Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell responded Sunday to an earlier accusation by ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons, who said the LAPD took "over two hours" to respond Friday to an incident were anti-ICE protesters confronted federal agents.

"Our brave officers were vastly outnumbered, as over 1,000 rioters surrounded and attacked a federal building," Lyons said in a statement, referring to the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building in downtown L.A. "It took over two hours for the Los Angeles Police Department to respond, despite being called multiple times."

Speaking at a news conference Sunday evening, McDonnell did not mention Lyons by name but said the accusation was untrue.

As protests against federal immigration enforcement continued in Los Angeles, LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said violence during the demonstrations was "disgusting," adding that "our officers are under attack."

"When we heard that, I think anybody who's a police officer couldn't believe it, and certainly anyone with LAPD couldn't imagine how that could happen," McDonnell told reporters. "Well, it didn't happen."

The police chief said the LAPD's response time was just under 40 minutes, citing traffic, crowd density and previous tear gas deployment by federal agents at the scene as factors in the response time.

McDonnell added that the Police Department was not made aware of the federal operation in advance, and LAPD teams were not prepositioned as a result.

Mayor Karen Bass on Sunday criticized President Donald Trump over his decision to deploy the National Guard in Los Angeles. The mayor also warned protesters that vandalism and violence "will not be tolerated."

Addressing the media at City Hall, Bass said the federal administration should let local officials take charge, and recall the National Guard troops. She accused Trump of creating an unsafe environment for immigrants during his first term, which has carried onto this second term. Bass also noted the detainees had not been allowed any form of communication.

Citing ongoing recovery from the wildfires, she said the troops and the chaos with it were the "last thing the city needs." Bass addressed the protesters saying, "I call on all Angelenos to continue expressing your right, your anger, your outrage, but do it peacefully."

Mayor Karen Bass criticized President Donald Trump over his decision to deploy the National Guard in Los Angeles. The mayor also warned protesters that vandalism and violence "will not be tolerated."

"No matter where you were born, the First Amendment Right gives you the ability to protest peacefully, not create chaos or vandalize property, and that will not be tolerated," she said.

Bass said she spoke to high-level officials in the Trump administration, including border czar Tom Homan before the Guard deployment, and "expressed to them that things were not out of control in the city of Los Angeles. Paramount has some issues, but I doubt very seriously that there's a need for the National Guard there either."

Bass said she told Homan, "If you want there to be chaos, then have troops on the ground when there is absolutely no need for that to happen."

Earlier in the day, Bass issued the following official statement:

"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."

City News Service contributed to this report.

Protesters in downtown Los Angeles vandalized at least five Waymo vehicles, setting at least two of them on fire, amid a chaotic demonstration against immigration raids.

The activists spray-painted anti-Trump and anti-ICE slogans on the self-driving cars before igniting two of them.

The incident came amid escalating tensions in L.A. as thousands of protesters took to the streets in response to President Donald Trump's extraordinary deployment of the National Guard, blocking off the 101 Freeway as LAPD officers used tear gas, rubber bullets, and flash bangs to control the crowd.

Protesters in downtown Los Angeles vandalized at least five Waymo vehicles, setting at least two of them on fire.

Some police patrolled the streets on horseback while others with riot gear lined up behind Guard troops deployed to protect federal facilities including a detention center where some immigrants were taken in recent days.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.