'Full-blown assault on peace': Donald Trump pledges to 'liberate' Los Angeles; says military needed to protect federal property

US President Donald Trump delivered a fiery speech on Tuesday, marking the 250th anniversary of the US Army, in which he pledged to "liberate Los Angeles." This statement follows the MAGA chief's decision to deploy thousands of troops in response to protests over immigration raids.

The riots included burning cars, vandalising stores, assaulting officers, and raising slogans against deportation by the US administration.Speaking at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Trump used the commemorative event to defend his move to send 700 Marines and over 4,000 National Guard members to Los Angeles. The deployment followed days of protests sparked by aggressive federal immigration raids in the city.

“Generations of Army heroes did not shed their blood on distant shores only to watch our country be destroyed by invasion and third-world lawlessness,” Trump told the gathered troops.

“What you’re witnessing in California is a full-blown assault on peace, on public order and on national sovereignty, carried out by rioters bearing foreign flags," he added. He insisted the military presence was needed to protect federal property and staff amid what he described as escalating unrest. “My administration will liberate Los Angeles,” he said, framing the protests as a threat to national unity.Street demonstrations in Los Angeles began last Friday after federal agents were seen detaining immigrants in unmarked vans.

Local officials have said that most protests have remained peaceful, limited to parts of downtown, though some clashes with sheriff's deputies have occurred.California’s Democratic-led government has responded sharply, filing a lawsuit to block Trump’s deployment order. State leaders have described the president’s actions as an abuse of power and a political provocation.Earlier in the day, Trump reiterated his hardline stance from the Oval Office, warning that any demonstrations during Saturday’s parade in Washington would be met with “very big force.” He did not distinguish between peaceful and violent demonstrators. However, both the FBI and the Metropolitan Police Department have stated there are no credible threats to the upcoming event.The Fort Bragg event also featured defence secretary Pete Hegseth and included military demonstrations such as a special forces assault and a long-range missile launch.