A cloud of uncertainty is hanging over Los Angeles, where questions remain over the role that Marines and National Guard troops will play after being called in by President Donald Trump amid protests over immigration raids in the city.

By Brad Brooks, Phil Stewart, Idrees Ali and Dietrich Knauth LOS ANGELES (Reuters) -Hundreds of U.S. Marines arrived in the Los Angeles area on Tuesday under orders from President Donald Trump, as the city's mayor declared a curfew for parts of the downtown area and police arrested 197 people in a fifth day of street protests.

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.

The ongoing protests in Los Angeles began with small demonstrations against immigration raids in the nation's second largest city.

Anti-ICE protests continue in Los Angeles after the National Guard was deployed following immigration enforcement actions.

California sued Trump over the deployment, with the state attorney general arguing that the president had “trampled” the state’s sovereignty. California leaders accused Trump of fanning protesters’ anger, leading crowds to block off a major freeway and set self-driving cars on fire.

Trump is begging for a fight on this. He knows what he’s doing so far is working with the American electorate," one data analyst noted

Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.) on Tuesday slammed President Trump over the recent immigration protests in Los Angeles, saying the president “wanted this fight.” “He wanted to focus on immigration and