"If they spit, we'll hit": Trump toughens his approach to protests in Los Angeles

Amid the chaos in Los Angeles due to protests stemming from immigration raids and the presence of the National Guard, President Donald J. Trump issued a direct and threatening message on Monday through his official Truth Social account: “If you spit, we will hit.”

The statement , which has drawn national and international criticism, refers to protests that Trump says have included physical attacks, including spitting at members of the National Guard deployed in the city.

"IF THEY SPIT, WE WILL HIT, and I promise you they will be hit harder than they have ever been hit before. Such disrespect will not be tolerated!" wrote the president.

Trump justified the use of force as an official policy of his administration in the face of what he called "catastrophic riots inspired by Gavin Newsom" — the governor of California — whom he accuses of allowing "insurrectionists" to take to the streets.

In his post, he notes that National Guard soldiers have been trained to withstand aggression, but that under his administration , "that will no longer happen."

“Patriots are used to accepting this... but not in my administration,” he said.

Trump's stance comes amid growing tensions over the presence of federal troops in Los Angeles, a decision made without consulting Governor Newsom or Mayor Karen Bass, which has prompted claims of a possible constitutional violation.

• More than 100 arrests have been reported during the protests.
• Journalist Lauren Tomasi was injured by a rubber bullet fired by the LAPD while covering the events.
• Mexico's Foreign Ministry confirmed that 42 Mexicans were arrested, and at least four have already been deported.

Several analysts have described the tone of Trump's message as "inflammatory" and compared it to the language used prior to the Capitol riots in 2021. Human rights organizations have warned that such rhetoric could escalate violence and legitimize abuses by the military and police.

Meanwhile, the president remains steadfast in his determination to "restore order," despite criticism for his excessive use of force and press censorship.