President Donald Trump delivered sharp criticism of anti-ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) protesters in Los Angeles, calling them “animals” and condemning their actions during ongoing protests against federal deportation policies.
The president’s comments, made at a ceremony at Fort Bragg to commemorate the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary, focused on protesters who burned American flags and carried flags from other countries during the demonstrations.
Trump’s Criticism of Protesters
During his remarks at Fort Bragg, Trump expressed frustration over the protesters’ actions, especially their decision to burn the American flag. “These are animals, but they proudly carry the flags of other countries. They don’t carry the American flag.
They only burn it,” Trump said, emphasizing his disapproval of such actions. He argued that people who burn the American flag should face criminal penalties, specifically a one-year jail sentence, and mentioned that he was working with senators to make this a reality.
Trump’s harsh words were aimed at protesters in Los Angeles, where violent immigration-related protests had erupted in response to federal immigration enforcement.
The president linked the flag burning to a broader issue of patriotism, suggesting that those who disrespected the American flag were not showing loyalty to the country. He further hinted at legal action, stating, “People that burn the American flag should go to jail for one year.”
The Los Angeles Protests and National Guard Deployment
Trump’s comments came amid heightened tension over the situation in Los Angeles, where he had recently deployed more than 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 U.S. Marines in response to the protests.
These protests, which have at times turned violent, were triggered by the Trump administration’s aggressive deportation policies, leading to widespread demonstrations in Los Angeles and other cities.
Critics of the deployment, including California Governor Gavin Newsom, argue that sending federal troops to the state is an overreach of federal authority.
Newsom had previously filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, alleging that the president violated California’s 10th Amendment rights by using federal control over the National Guard without the state’s consent.
Trump responded to Newsom’s challenge by sarcastically inviting him to “come after me” and saying, “Let’s just get it over with, tough guy.” This exchange highlights the increasingly bitter political conflict between the Trump administration and California’s leadership, with Newsom calling the deployment an infringement on the state’s sovereignty.
Criminal Penalties for Protesters and the Investigation into Financing
In addition to calling for jail time for flag burners, Trump also suggested that his administration was looking into the sources of funding for the protests.
He mentioned that the Justice Department, led by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, was working on identifying who might be financing the unrest. This remark aligns with Trump’s continued claims that the protests are being coordinated and funded by external parties.
Bondi, making her first public statement since the riots began, confirmed that the Justice Department had opened nine cases connected to the protests.
She echoed Trump’s sentiment, saying, “As President Trump said: You spit we hit. Get ready.” This statement signaled the administration’s intent to take aggressive action against those deemed responsible for inciting the protests.