Trump bans face masks at protests across the U.S.

President Donald Trump has issued a directive banning the wearing of face masks during protests in the United States.

This comes in the wake of two days of intense demonstrations in Los Angeles sparked by opposition to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids.

In response to the escalating tensions, the Trump administration invoked the Insurrection Act of 1807 to authorize the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops to restore order in the city.

This marks one of the rare instances where the Act has been used, with previous deployments occurring during the 2020 protests over George Floyd’s death and the 1992 riots following the Rodney King verdict.

President Trump commended the National Guard for swiftly bringing an end to the violence and disorder that had gripped Los Angeles over the past two days.

He did not hold back in criticizing California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, labeling them as incompetent and unfit for leadership.

“Just look at how they handled the fires and now their very slow permitting disaster. Federal permitting is complete!” President Trump posted on his Truth Social account.

California Governor Gavin Newsom dismissed the deployment of National Guard troops as “purposefully inflammatory,” arguing that there was no pressing need for such a federal response.

Meanwhile, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass strongly condemned the ICE raids, pointing to the fear and uncertainty they have caused within immigrant communities.

She noted that the city was coordinating with law enforcement agencies to maintain order and protect residents.

The demonstrations erupted in Los Angeles on June 6, 2025, following a series of targeted immigration raids by ICE.

These operations focused on several locations, including Home Depot stores, a garment factory, and a warehouse.

At least 44 migrants were arrested that Friday, accused of immigration violations and obstruction of justice.

By Saturday, June 7, tensions had intensified, with violent clashes erupting in parts of downtown Los Angeles and the Paramount area most notably around 6400 Alondra Blvd., where confrontations turned fiery.

Crowds swelled from a few hundred protesters on the second day to an estimated 1,000 individuals on Friday. Demonstrators waved Mexican flags and chanted slogans like “ICE go home” and “No justice, no peace,” voicing strong opposition to the federal immigration crackdown.

Protest tactics escalated the unrest, with some demonstrators throwing rocks, setting a car and an American flag on fire, and hurling cement bricks further heightening tensions.

The chaos left at least one protester and one Border Patrol agent injured.

Back in March, President Trump had already hinted at stricter protest regulations. He threatened to withdraw federal funding from schools that permitted what he called “illegal protests,” particularly referencing pro-Palestinian demonstrations on college campuses. In that context, he declared, “NO MASKS!” a stance he has now extended nationwide.

“These Radical Left protests, by instigators and often paid troublemakers, will not be tolerated. Also, from now on, masks will not be allowed to be worn at protests. What do these people have to hide, and why???” Trump wrote on Truth Social, questioning the intentions behind face coverings at demonstrations.

This move aligns with Trump’s broader immigration crackdown, which includes an aggressive push to deport record numbers of undocumented migrants.

ICE has been directed to aim for 3,000 arrests daily as part of this sweeping enforcement agenda.