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

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass called on the Trump administration to stop immigration raids in the city, saying the fear and uncertainty they have created have led to the unrest.

"I am hopeful that the federal government will hear our plea: Stop the raids," Bass said. "This is creating fear and chaos in our city, and it is unnecessary. And I hope that we will be heard because our city is trying to move forward and I believe that the federal government should be supportive of us moving forward."

Bass said she spoke to members of the Trump administration over the weekend, urging the federal government not to deploy the National Guard. Bass said she has not spoken directly to President Donald Trump.

"It makes me feel like our city is actually a test case, a test case for what happens when the federal government moves in and takes the authority away from the state or away from local government," she told reporters during a news conference Monday. "I don't think that our city should be used for an experiment."

Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell acknowledged the deployment of 700 Marines to the city and said that it presents a "logistical challenge" and "risks confusion."

McDonnell and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass spoke at a press conference Monday while hundreds of protesters remain in downtown L.A.

"We're also aware of reports that the President intends or has deployed US Marines to Los Angeles. The introduction of federal military personnel without direct coordination creates logistical challenges and risks confusion during a critical incident," McDonnell said of the Trump administration's decision.

McDonnell also said the LAPD has mobilized officers, allowing them to deploy an additional 400 officers to the scene.

During a press conference on Monday evening, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass spoke of the influence President Donald Trump's sweeping immigration policies have had on the community, ahead of the spate of protests that have rocked the city.

"I can't emphasize enough the level of fear and terror that is in Angelenos right now, not knowing if tomorrow or tonight it might be where they live, it might be their workplace, should you send your kids to school, should you go to work," Bass said.

The mayor placed blame on the escalation of protests in the city on the Trump administration, saying, "On Thursday, the city was peaceful. On Friday, it was not because of the intervention of the federal government."

California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that he is sending over 800 additional state and local law enforcement officers to Los Angeles.

"We're working with local partners to surge over 800 additional state and local law enforcement officers to ensure the safety of our LA communities," Newsom wrote on X on Monday evening.

The additional officers include over 640 California Highway Patrol officers and over 240 officers from neighboring jurisdictions, according to a press release from the governor's office.

The announcement comes amid the governor's criticism and lawsuit against President Donald Trump and his administration for deploying 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines to the city.

"Chaos is exactly what Trump wanted, and now California is left to clean up the mess," Newsom said.