US President Donald Trump announced, amid protests in Los Angeles, that he will ban the wearing of masks during demonstrations across the country.

Trump wrote on his Truth Social page: “Masks will no longer be allowed during protests from now on. What are these people hiding and why?”

This comes after an immigration and customs enforcement operation to identify illegal immigrants in downtown Los Angeles turned into clashes with protesters.

White House spokesperson Caroline Leavitt announced that, in response to the protests, 2,000 National Guard personnel will be deployed to Los Angeles.