President Donald Trump strongly criticized anti-ICE protesters in Los Angeles, referring to them as “animals” after they carried foreign flags and set American flags ablaze during demonstrations against federal deportation efforts. He declared that burning the American flag should lead to a one-year prison sentence and said he was working with senators to implement such a law.
Speaking at Fort Bragg during the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary celebration on Tuesday, Trump defended using military forces against demonstrators protesting his immigration raids. He also pledged to “liberate” the West Coast city.
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Trump: Burning Flags Will Have Consequences
Trump condemned the protesters for displaying flags from other countries while destroying the American flag, questioning their loyalty.
“These are animals, but they proudly carry the flags of other countries. They do not carry the American flag. They only burn it. Did you see a lot of flags being burned?” he asked an audience of service members, veterans, and families.
He emphasized that people who burn the American flag do not love the country.
“Anyone who burns the American flag should be jailed for one year. We’ll see if we can get that done. We’re going to try and get that done. We’re working with some of your senators,” Trump stated.
He further escalated his remarks:
“We will not allow an American city to be invaded and conquered by a foreign enemy. That’s what they are,” he said.
The President labeled Los Angeles “a trash heap” and claimed “entire neighborhoods” were under criminal control. He pledged to deploy every federal asset necessary to “quell the violence and restore law and order.”
Trump added,
“We will liberate Los Angeles and make it free, clean and safe again.”
Trump’s remarks followed his deployment of more than 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 U.S. Marines to Los Angeles in response to growing unrest tied to immigration protests. The move sparked backlash, especially from California Governor Gavin Newsom, who called it an overreach of federal power.
In a podcast interview with columnist Miranda Devine, Trump doubled down on his belief that flag burning should carry mandatory jail time. He also revealed plans to investigate the funding sources behind the protests, seeking to expose those responsible.
Governor Newsom has since filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, accusing it of violating state rights. He challenged Trump to arrest him over his stance on ICE operations. Meanwhile, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed ongoing federal investigations into the protests, some of which have been described as riots.
The protests erupted after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) launched a series of operations across Los Angeles—targeting clothing warehouses, Home Depot locations, and even a doughnut shop. According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), these raids led to 118 arrests, including individuals with prior convictions or alleged gang affiliations.
This aggressive crackdown comes as Trump intensifies his push for mass deportations. The LA raids are among the most forceful ICE actions in California in recent years and reflect the administration’s determination to bypass state officials in enforcing federal immigration laws amid growing political tensions.
