Marines are now on duty in Los Angeles for the first time.
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.
The Los Angeles Police Department said via X that officers have begun making arrests in the downtown area after announcing a dispersal order.
Officials asked that people avoid the Alameda area between Aliso Street and Temple Street.
"Officers are making arrests," the LAPD wrote. "Please do not interfere with the lawful arrests."
While visiting Fort Bragg to celebrate the Army's 250th birthday, President Donald Trump spoke at length about the ongoing protests in Los Angeles and his administration's response -- including the deployment of National Guardsmen and Marines, despite objections from California Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Trump again claimed, without evidence, that paid "insurrectionists" and "criminal invaders" are seizing the city.
"Generations of Army heroes did not shed their blood on distant shores only to watch our country be destroyed by invasion and third world lawlessness here at home, like is happening in California," Trump said.
"As commander in chief, I will not let that happen. It's never going to happen. What you're witnessing in California is a full-blown assault on peace, on public order and on national sovereignty carried out by rioters bearing foreign flags with the aim of continuing a foreign invasion of our country," he said.
There are now more U.S. troops deployed to Los Angeles than in Iraq and Syria.
There are 4,800 activated Guard and Marine personnel in LA, compared to the 2,500 troops in Iraq and 1,500 in Syria.
-ABC News' Luis Martinez and Anne Flaherty
The U.S. Northern Command is responding to photos published in the San Francisco Chronicle showing National Guardsmen sleeping on floors.
"The soldiers in the photo were resting as they were not currently on mission and due to the fluid security situation, it was deemed too dangerous for them to travel to better accommodations," a U.S. Northern Command spokesperson said.
LA Mayor Karen Bass noted Tuesday that "the unrest that has happened are a few blocks within the downtown area -- it is not all of downtown and it is not all of the city."
"The Soldiers have ready access to food and water as needed," the spokesperson added.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom had posted the photos on social media Monday to raise concerns about their care and housing.
Newsom said they were deployed "without fuel, food, water or a place to sleep," adding that President Donald Trump "is treating our troops disrespectfully."
ABC News' Luis Martinez and Anne Flaherty
