Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell sharply countered President Donald Trump’s claims that the city was at a point of needing National Guard support, emphasizing Wednesday that protests were “nowhere near” that level.

The National Guard in Los Angeles has detained anti-ICE protesters while providing security for immigration operations, with officials expecting protests to escalate.

McCrory said the state is put in a “precarious position” when a governor and mayor aren’t willing to work with the president.

National Guard troops already have temporarily detained civilians in the Los Angeles protests over immigration raids.

The peaceful protest began shortly after 6 p.m. and soon tripled in size as people congregated in front of a road closure, occupied by at least six members of the California National Guard on

Army veteran and former Secretary of State Chuck Hagel talks about the potential risks about having military troops deployed in L.A.

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