President Donald Trump issued a fiery directive Sunday to the Department of Homeland Security and Department of Defense, ordering them to restore order in Los Angeles amid violent anti-ICE protests and an escalating immigration crackdown. In a dramatic post on Truth Social, Trump declared that federal agents would “liberate” the city and that “Illegals will be expelled.”

“A once great American City, Los Angeles, has been invaded and occupied by Illegal Aliens and Criminals,” Trump wrote. “Now violent, insurrectionist mobs are swarming and attacking our Federal Agents to try and stop our deportation operations — But these lawless riots only strengthen our resolve.”

The president’s directive tasks DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Attorney General Pam Bondi with deploying all necessary resources to stabilize the city. Trump said the administration would not back down in the face of what he called a “Migrant Invasion.”

On Friday, ICE operations in Los Angeles led to over 40 arrests, setting off a firestorm of resistance among left-wing demonstrators. Protesters blocked roads, torched vehicles, and hurled objects at law enforcement. In one incident, a car was set ablaze in the middle of an intersection. Videos circulating online show ICE agents and local police being confronted aggressively as they executed search warrants.

To ensure ICE operations could continue without interference, Trump ordered the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops. That move drew sharp condemnation from California’s Democrat leadership.

Governor Gavin Newsom accused Trump of manufacturing a “spectacle,” warning that the federal government’s takeover of the National Guard was politically motivated. “Don’t give them one. Never use violence. Speak out peacefully,” Newsom urged protesters in a social media post.

But LAPD officials contradicted Newsom’s assessment, confirming that the violence in L.A. was indeed escalating and that local law enforcement alone could not contain the unrest. Reports indicate federal agents had faced coordinated resistance, with some protesters allegedly using encrypted messaging apps to warn others about ICE movements.

Trump’s order is part of a larger push to rein in sanctuary jurisdictions and end what his administration views as decades of lawless immigration policy. By invoking his executive authority and involving the military, Trump appears determined to make Los Angeles the front line in a broader battle to restore federal control over immigration enforcement.

California Democrats, meanwhile, are urging de-escalation. Senator Alex Padilla called the federal response “draconian,” while L.A. Supervisor Janice Hahn suggested that only a retreat by federal forces would calm the riots.

Trump dismissed the criticism as political grandstanding. “Order will be restored, the Illegals will be expelled, and Los Angeles will be set free,” he said.

As tensions continue to boil in L.A., the nation watches to see if this show of federal force will bring peace—or spark something far bigger. Either way, the White House has made one thing clear: the gloves are off.