Tensions are escalating between President Donald Trump and California Gov. Gavin Newsom as protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement continue to grip Los Angeles and spread to New York City, San Francisco, Boston, Austin, Texas, and other cities.
Trump deployed about 4,000 National Guardsmen and 700 Marines to LA against Newsom's wishes.
A federal appeals court Thursday delayed an order requiring the Trump administration to return control of the National Guard to Newsom, dealing the administration a temporary reprieve to what would have been a major reversal of its policy on the protests.
Missouri governor activates National Guard in 'proactive approach' to protests
Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe announced in a press release on Thursday that he is activating the Missouri National Guard as a precaution amid "recent instances of civil unrest across the country."
The governor's actions come as anti-ICE protests have spread from Los Angeles to New York City, San Francisco, Boston, Austin, Texas and other cities across the U.S.
Missouri Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe speaks to supporters Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024, in Jefferson City following his primary election win to represent the Republican party in the race for governor. (Emily Curiel/The Kansas City Star/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
Kansas City Star/TNS
Ahead of President Donald Trump's Army parade in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, officials have warned of "No Kings" protests planned in cities across the country as well.
"We respect, and will defend, the right to peacefully protest, but we will not tolerate violence or lawlessness in our state. While other states may wait for chaos to ensue, the State of Missouri is taking a proactive approach in the event that assistance is needed to support local law enforcement in protecting our citizens and communities," Kehoe said in the statement.
Kehoe's statement did not mention specific planned protests the governor's office is monitoring or the protests in Los Angeles.
The coalition running the "No Kings" protests set for Saturday, however, is promoting protests in Missouri; the coalition has asked participants to keep the protests nonviolent and to de-escalate any confrontations between protesters and others.
-ABC News' Oren Oppenheim
Jun 12, 2025, 2:31 PM EDT
California Sen. Padilla removed from Noem's news conference
Before being pushed out of the room, he said, "The fact of the matter is half a dozen violent criminals that you’re rotating on your, on your -- hands off.”
Sen. Alex Padilla, Democrat from California,who interrupted a press conference held by U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, is removed from the venue, in Los Angeles, June 12, 2025.
Aude Guerrucci/Reuters
Sen. Alex Padilla, Democrat from California,who interrupted a press conference held by U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, is removed from the venue, in Los Angeles, June 12, 2025.
Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images
Padilla told reporters that he's been pushing for more information on the administration's immigration enforcement actions and he went to the news conference "to hear what she had to say and see if I could learn any new additional information."
After Padilla tried to ask a question, he said he was forced out of the room, forced to the ground and handcuffed.
Padilla stressed that he was not detained and not arrested.
"If this is how this administration responds to a senator with a question ... you can only imagine what they're doing to farmworkers, to cooks, to day laborers," the senator told reporters, overcome with emotion. "We will hold this administration accountable."
Sen. Alex Padilla, Democrat from California, who interrupted a press conference held by U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, is removed from the venue, in Los Angeles, June 12, 2025.
Etienne Laurent/AP
Sen. Alex Padilla is detained and removed from the venue after interrupting the press conference held by U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem in Los Angeles, June 12, 2025.
Aude Guerrucci/Reuters
Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary for public affairs at DHS, claimed the senator "interrupted a live press conference without identifying himself or having his Senate security pin on as he lunged toward Secretary Noem."
"Mr. Padilla was told repeatedly to back away and did not comply with officers’ repeated commands," she said. "@SecretService thought he was an attacker and officers acted appropriately." McLaughlin described Padilla's actions as "disrespectful political theatre."
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem speaks during a news conference at the Wilshire Federal Building in Los Angeles, June 12, 2025.
Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images
Noem said, "I think everybody in America would agree that that wasn't appropriate -- that if you wanted to have a civil discussion, especially as a leader, a public official, that you would reach out and try to have a conversation."
Noem and Padilla met for 15 minutes following the incident, she said.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom, LA Mayor Karen Bass and other Democrats have expressed their outrage.
U.S. Senator Alex Padilla is detained and removed from the venue after interrupting the press conference held by U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem in Los Angeles, June 12, 2025.
Aude Guerrucci/Reuters
"Senator Alex Padilla is one of the most decent people I know," Newsom said. "This is outrageous, dictatorial, and shameful. Trump and his shock troops are out of control."
"What just happened to @SenAlexPadilla is absolutely abhorrent and outrageous," Bass said. "This administration’s violent attacks on our city must end."
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus is demanding an investigation.
Sen. Alex Padilla, Democrat from California, speaks to reporters after he was forcibly removed after interrupting a news conference being held by Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, in Los Angeles, June 12, 2025.
Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images
-ABC News’ Alex Stone, Luke Barr and Jenna Harrison
Jun 12, 2025, 3:16 PM EDT
Noem calls for undocumented immigrants to self-deport or get arrested
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is calling for undocumented immigrants to self-deport.
“If you wait until we have to arrest you, you will never get to be an American, much less live here and work here and be able to pursue the American dream,” she threatened.
Jun 12, 2025, 3:04 PM EDT
DOJ leadership orders prosecutors to be on alert this weekend for potential violence
Top leaders at the Justice Department issued a directive to prosecutors around the country to be prepared to file charges over the weekend in the event of violence or "obstruction" of police at protests planned in several major cities.
The memo to all 93 U.S. Attorney's Offices, which was reviewed by ABC News, outlined several potentially relevant criminal statutes that prosecutors could consider applying to violent actors at protests.
Associate Deputy Attorney General Aakash Singh said the federal government will have "zero tolerance" for acts of "rioting, looting, arson, destruction of property, assaults on officers ... and obstruction of federal immigration efforts."
"Push out press releases whenever you file charges in these matters," the memo said. "We will not stop enforcing the law and we will not be deterred from keeping our districts safe."