Facts: - Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass both publicly stated they did not request National Guard assistance. - Under normal circumstances, National Guard deployment requires state approval unless the Insurrection Act is invoked, which Trump has not done. - The Department of Homeland Security claimed “about 1,000 rioters” were involved. Reuters explicitly stated: “That number could not be independently verified.” - No arrests, property damage, or injuries matched the scale of that claim in public records or independent media. - LAPD and local sheriffs reported protests were largely peaceful, especially during the day before Trump escalation. - Some tensions flared in Paramount and downtown LA, but no reports of organized looting or widespread property destruction emerged. - Reporters on the ground, including from LAist, KPCC, and Reuters, reported being tear-gassed or pushed back despite clearly identifying themselves. - Multiple journalists were caught on camera saying “We’re press!” as flash-bangs or tear gas were deployed nearby. - Video footage and timeline analysis show a flash-bang grenade thrown into debris shortly before a car caught fire. - No evidence has emerged that protesters intentionally started that fire. - Video footage reviewed by The Guardian and Washington Post showed flash-bangs, tear gas, and rubber bullets deployed against protesters without clear provocation. - Protesters were often seen dispersing or shielding themselves, not advancing aggressively. - Trump placed the National Guard under federal control (Title 10), bypassing state authority a rare and provocative move that violates the Tenth Amendment unless the Insurrection Act is formally invoked.