President Trump threatened California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s arrest, prompting Newsom to accuse Trump of taking a step toward authoritarianism.

Authorities swept in with flash-bangs and tear gas grenades to disperse hundreds of protesters in Los Angeles.

The California Governor has sued the U.S. President over the mobilization of the National Guard, calling it “an unmistakable step toward authoritarianism.”

The deployment of the National Guard catapulted Gov. Gavin Newsom to the front lines of a Democratic resistance against Trump that he has been reluctant to embrace.

June 9, 11.30 p.m. EDT California Gov. Gavin Newsom criticized the move to deploy Marines, saying the “The Secretary of Defense is illegally deploying them onto American streets so Trump can have a talking point at his parade this weekend.”

Tensions are escalating in Los Angeles after protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement gripped the city on Sunday, with demonstrators clashing with law enforcement and setting vehicles on fire downtown.

President Donald Trump on Monday stirred the already contentious riots in Los Angeles when he advocated for the arrest of California Gov. Gavin Newsom. While addressing reporters, Trump was asked if border czar Tom Homan should follow through on Newsom’s dare to arrest the California governor.

Trump border czar Homan responds to Gov. Newsom's 'arrest me' challenge amid LA anti-ICE riots, clarifying comments about consequences for impeding immigration operations.