Gavin Newsom accuses Trump of provoking an “explosive situation” in Los Angeles until curfew
Newsom warned that democracy in the United States is giving way to authoritarianism under the Trump administration and what happened in Los Angeles is an example
Newsom said in a televised address that Trump's decision to send the National Guard and Marines to Los Angeles, despite local authorities deeming the protests under control, “inflamed a potentially explosive situation” and led to further violence.
Newsom accused Trump of a “blatant abuse of power” for mobilizing National Guard troops and Marines to Los Angeles and warned that the United States was facing a “dangerous moment” under a president “who does not want to be bound by any law or constitution.”
Newsom insisted that the Trump administration is becoming a regime authoritarian and warned that while his state may have been the first, “other states are next.”
Newsom’s words come after Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass announced a curfew in the city center today, which is already in effect, from yesterday at 8:00 p.m. local time (2:00 a.m. GMT Wednesday) until 6:00 a.m. this Wednesday (9:00 a.m. GMT).
The measure was announced after 23 businesses in the affected area were looted during the nights of Monday and Tuesday.
The Democratic politician wanted to be clear: “If you incite violence or destroy our communities, you will be held accountable. That type of criminal behavior will not be tolerated. Period.”
The governor did not hold back in harshly attacking Trump’s immigration policy, which he described as “massive deportations that indiscriminately target working immigrant families” and accused the Republican president of “traumatizing” communities in places like Los Angeles, instead of protecting them,as he claims he does.
The governor urged citizens to exercise their right to protest “peacefully,” so as not to favor the New York magnate's strategy.
“Trump and his loyalists thrive on division because it allows them to seize more power and exert even more control. And, by the way, Trump is not opposed to anarchy or violence, as long as it serves him. What more proof do we need than January 6?” Newsom added, referring to the violent assault on the Capitol carried out in 2021 by the Republican's acolytes, who were incited by the now president.
“California may be the first, but clearly “It won't end here. Other states are next. Democracy is next. Democracy is under attack,” concluded Newsom, who took the opportunity to denounce the inactivity of Congress in Washington.