AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Protests that sprang up in Los Angeles over immigration enforcement raids and prompted President Donald Trump to mobilize National Guard troops and Marines have begun to spread across the country, with more planned into the weekend.

The president defends his decision on using the military in the city before an audience at Fort Bragg. California officials blame the administration for inflaming tensions.

Calling President Trump a threat to the American way of life, Governor Gavin Newsom depicted the federal military intervention in Los Angeles as the onset of a much broader effort by Trump to overturn political and cultural norms at the heart of the nation’s democracy.

Newsom, widely assumed to be a leading contender for the Democratic 2028 presidential ticket, fired back at criticism with a barrage of social media posts.

The ongoing protests in Los Angeles began with small demonstrations against immigration raids in the nation's second largest city.

As Democrats seek entrance into ICE facilities, Republicans condemn the “riots” and call for investigation into LAPD’s response.

More than two dozen journalists have been injured or roughed up while covering protests against immigration raids in Los Angeles, leading press freedom groups to question whether law enforcement has been deliberately targeting reporters on the story.

Bass announced the curfew while many people in the city were out marching through the streets and protesting against the ICE raids.  The curfew was announced to "stop bad actors who are taking advantage of the President's chaotic escalation,