Trump defends sending National Guard to LA as California governor to sue administration

US President Donald Trump has defended his decision to deploy the National Guard during the protests in Los Angeles.

"We made a great decision in sending the National Guard to deal with the violent, instigated riots in California," Trump wrote on Truth Social. 

"If we had not done so, Los Angeles would have been completely obliterated."

He said Governor Gavin Newsom and LA Mayor Karen Bass had been ungrateful to him after both criticised him - stating the deployment was "unnecessary" and "inflamed" what had been small, localised protests.

"Just one look at the pictures and videos of the Violence and Destruction tells you all you have to know," Trump added. 

"We will always do what is needed to keep our Citizens SAFE, so we can, together, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"

The National Guard was deployed after a wave of protests that started Friday in downtown Los Angeles and spread on Saturday to cities like Paramount and Compton, both with large Latino populations. 

On Sunday, tensions escalated as protesters clashed with Guard members in downtown LA, blocked a major freeway, and set self-driving cars ablaze.

Newsom said the state will be suing the Trump administration as he said the deployment of the National Guard was an "unconstitutional act".

Newsom says Trump's call for his arrest is step towards 'authoritarianism'

Gavin Newsom has responded after President Trump earlier said he would arrest the California governor over his opposition to the National Guard's deployment.

"The President of the United States just called for the arrest of a sitting governor," Newsom says on X. 

"This is a day I hoped I would never see in America. I don't care if you're a Democrat or a Republican this is a line we cannot cross as a nation — this is an unmistakable step toward authoritarianism."

Trump spoke to reporters as he returned to the White House about the protests in Los Angeles, reports BBC.

"The people that are causing the problem are professional agitators," he said. 

"They are insurrectionists. They're bad people they should be in jail."

He was also asked about California Governor Gavin Newsom challenging Trump's border chief Tom Homan to arrest him. 

Trump said "I would do it if I were Tom, I think it's great... He's done a terrible job."