THE WHITE HOUSE vowed Wednesday that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids would continue "unabated," as protests spread from Los Angeles into other major American cities.
Demonstrations have sprung up in Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Chicago, Austin, Denver, San Francisco and other major cities.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) sought to rally the nation to his side, as U.S. Marines prepared to join National Guard troops dispatched to keep the peace in Los Angeles.
"This isn't just about protests here in Los Angeles," Newsom said in a direct-to-camera address. "This is about all of us. This is about you. California may be first, but it clearly will not end here. Other states are next. Democracy is next. Democracy is under assault before our eyes."
The White House warned protesters there would be consequences if demonstrations in other cities get out of hand.
"Let this be an unequivocal message to left-wing radicals in other parts of the country who might be thinking about copy-catting the violence in an effort to stop this administration's mass deportation efforts," said press secretary Karoline Leavitt. "You will not succeed. Any lawlessness will only strengthen this president's resolve to defend the majority of Americans who want to live their lives peacefully, free from the fear of violent criminal illegal aliens."
The New York Police Department said at least 80 people were arrested at anti-ICE protests in lower Manhattan on Tuesday night.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) deployed the National Guard to deal with protests in his state.
"Peaceful protest is legal," Abbott posted on X. "Harming a person or property is illegal & will lead to arrest. @TexasGuard will use every tool & strategy to help law enforcement maintain order."
ICE took more than 70 people into custody during an immigration enforcement operation at a meat packaging facility in Omaha.
Leavitt said more than 330 people in the country illegally have been arrested in Los Angeles over the past few days, and that more than 100 had prior criminal convictions.
"This administration is going to continue the mass deportation effort that the president promised the American public," she said.
President Trump's border czar Tom Homan said the protests are making immigration raids and deportations "difficult" and "dangerous" for the officers seeking to carry them out.
"They're not going to stop us," Homan told "NBC Nightly News" anchor Tom Llamas. "They're not going to slow us down."
Organizers with "No Kings" are planning about 1,500 demonstrations across the country to protest the military parade scheduled for Saturday in D.C. to mark the Army's 250th birthday. It's also Trump's 79th birthday.
Protests and boycotts could also be in effect tonight at the Kennedy Center, where Trump and first lady Melania Trump will attend a production of "Les Misérables."
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