Noem says Trump admin won't let ‘a repeat of 2020 happen' as National Guard responds to LA immigration riots
President Donald Trump sent 2,000 National Guard soldiers to Los Angeles to help "keep peace" as immigration protests descended into riots, and to prevent a repeat of the 2020 unrest that saw the Democratic governor of Minnesota "let his city burn," Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem said on Sunday.
Noem addressed the deployment of the National Guard during an appearance on CBS' "Face the Nation," saying that Trump has the safety of the community and law enforcement officers at the top of his mind.
"President Trump is putting the safety of the communities being impacted by these riots and by these protests that have turned violent, and he's putting the safety of our law enforcement officers first," Noem said.
The violence comes in response to sweeping immigration raids in the Los Angeles area. Federal immigration authorities have said some of the migrants arrested last week had criminal histories that included assault and drug offenses.
California Republicans Slam Newsom, Bass For Letting La Burn With Riots Amid Trump Immigration Blitz
Noem said that Trump made the move to send in the troops because Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom "makes bad decisions" and Trump didn't want to wait for Newsom to "get some sanity."
Read On The Fox News App
Newsom has claimed that Trump is deploying the National Guard "not because there is a shortage of law enforcement, but because they want a spectacle."
The California governor said Saturday that the state has deployed the California Highway Patrol to keep Los Angeles highways safe, though he added, "It's not their job to assist in federal immigration enforcement."
But Noem vowed that Trump was "not going to let a repeat of 2020 happen," referencing riots that happened in Minneapolis at the time.
She further criticized Democrats by noting how Democratic Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota responded during riots that happened in 2020.
"Gov. Tim Walz made very bad decisions," she said, adding that Walz tried to request the help of the National Guard after "letting his city burn for days on end."
Patel Promises Fbi Coming For Anyone Assaulting Cops As Los Angeles Erupts Over Ice Raids
Walz called for the National Guard two days after the riots began in 2020, a point that was highlighted last year after former Vice President Kamala Harris tapped him as her running mate during her failed presidential run against Trump.
Noem described the 2,000 National Guard soldiers as being specifically trained for "this type of crowd situation," where they will provide safety around buildings, to those engaged in peaceful protests and law enforcement.
Noem said the National Guard will help with security in some areas, though she would not speak to the exact locations that the troops will be deployed to or to specific security operations.
"They're there at the direction of the president in order to keep peace and allow people to be able to protest but also to keep law and order," she said of the National Guard. "That is incredibly important to the president."Original article source: Noem says Trump admin won't let 'a repeat of 2020 happen' as National Guard responds to LA immigration riots
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Wall Street Journal
41 minutes ago
- Wall Street Journal
The Deportation Wars Begin
Rounding up and deporting millions of illegal migrants was never going to go down without protest. But President Trump is determined to do it, and no one can say he didn't tell voters during the campaign. But there are risks for both sides of this dispute, and especially for the country if it turns violent and triggers a military response from the White House. The weekend's clashes in Los Angeles are a sign of what could be ahead. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has been staging raids around the city hunting for migrants, including at businesses where they are thought to work. Workers, union leaders and pro-migrant activists hit the streets in protest. The clashes turned nasty in some places, some officers were hurt, and ICE and local police made arrests, including of a prominent union leader for interfering with federal officers. President Trump then invoked a little-used law to override what is typically state control and sent in 2,000 troops from the California National Guard. Cue the outrage from Democrats and cries of law-breaking on both sides.
Newsweek
42 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Scott Bessent Accuses Gavin Newsom of Threatening 'Tax Evasion'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent accused California Governor Gavin Newsom of "threatening to commit criminal tax evasion" after the Democratic leader suggested in a social media post that the state should consider withholding federal tax payments in response to possible funding cuts from the Trump administration. Newsweek has reached out to Newsom's press office for comment via email on Sunday. Why It Matters The Trump administration has threatened to withhold federal funding from various state programs and institutions, including research and education programs. Last week, CNN reported that the administration is considering cutting grant funding to the University of California and California State University systems. In late-May, President Donald Trump threatened to pull "large scale federal funding" from the Golden State unless it bars transgender athletes from competing in girls' sports. Bessent's remarks come amid ongoing tensions between federal, state, and local authorities as protests continue in Los Angeles, which were sparked following immigration raids during which police followed the Trump administration's directives to arrest people. Some protesters have thrown rocks at officers, with one allegedly throwing a Molotov cocktail, and burning items in the streets. Agents have used tear gas on the crowds. The clashes highlight deepening conflicts between sanctuary jurisdictions and federal immigration policy, as Trump has implemented sweeping changes through executive orders and deployed the National Guard against local leaders wishes. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on May 7. Inset: California Governor Gavin Newsom speaks in West Hollywood, California, on March 26. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on May 7. Inset: California Governor Gavin Newsom speaks in West Hollywood, California, on March 26. Photo by Corine Solberg/Sipa USA/Aaron Schwartz/AP Images What To Know On Friday, Newsom shared a screenshot of a CNN article on X, formerly Twitter, about the Trump administration's potential move to cut federal funding to the state, writing, "Californians pay the bills for the federal government. We pay over $80 BILLION more in taxes than we get back. Maybe it's time to cut that off." Californians pay the bills for the federal government. We pay over $80 BILLION more in taxes than we get back. Maybe it's time to cut that off, @realDonaldTrump. — Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) June 6, 2025 His post followed a CNN report that the Trump administration is targeting California's public university system over alleged antisemitism on campus. The administration has already taken similar action against Harvard University. California is the most populous state in the country with over 39 million people. It leads all the states in federal tax collection, with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) reporting that California contributed around $806 billion to total IRS collections in the 2024 fiscal year, which is about 15 percent of the national total. A recent analysis by the Rockefeller Institute of Government found the state contributed $83.1 billion more in federal taxes in 2022 than it received back. In response to the governor, Bessent, who oversees the IRS, wrote in an X post on Sunday: "Governor @GavinNewsom is threatening to commit criminal tax evasion. His plan: defraud the American taxpayer and leave California residents on the hook for unpaid federal taxes." Governor @GavinNewsom is threatening to commit criminal tax evasion. His plan: defraud the American taxpayer and leave California residents on the hook for unpaid federal taxes. (1/3) — Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (@SecScottBessent) June 8, 2025 In a follow up post, he wrote: "I am certain most California businesses know that failing to pay taxes owed to the Treasury constitutes tax evasion and have no intention of following the dangerous path Governor @GavinNewsom is threatening." In a third post, the treasury secretary called the governor's comments "extremely reckless." Federal law defines a willful attempt to evade or defeat federal taxes as a felony under United States law. The public clash comes as Newsom is sparring with Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over deployment of the National Guard, and potentially active-military Marines, following protests in California sparked over federal immigration enforcement operations. Hegseth wrote in a Saturday evening post on X that in addition to mobilizing guards, nearby Marines may also be called upon, writing, "And, if violence continues, active-duty Marines at Camp Pendleton will also be mobilized — they are on high alert." What People Are Saying White House spokesperson Kush Desai told CNN in a Friday statement: "No taxpayer should be forced to fund the demise of our country," in regard to certain California policies related to energy and immigration. "No final decisions, however, on any potential future action by the Administration have been made, and any discussion suggesting otherwise should be considered pure speculation." Robert Rivas, speaker of the California State Assembly, wrote in a BlueSky post about the CNN article on Friday: "This is unconstitutional and vindictive. We're the nation's economic engine and the largest donor state, and deserve our fair share. I'll use every legal and constitutional tool available to defend CA -- we must look at every option, including withholding federal taxes." What Happens Next? The tension between the Trump administration and Newsom don't show signs of easing.
Los Angeles Times
an hour ago
- Los Angeles Times
Paramount, a proud Latino suburb, thrust into center of Trump crackdown
Jessica Juarez walked along Alondra Boulevard with a trash bag full of spent gas canisters, her voice hoarse as she helped clean her community with other residents Sunday morning. The volunteers were parents and neighbors in Paramount, armed with plastic bags, latex gloves and face masks. An acrid odor lingered in the air the day after law enforcement fired gas canisters and flash bang grenades at protesters on Alondra Boulevard. 'I'm proud of our community, of the strength we showed,' Juarez, 40, said. 'It's like they put so much fear into Paramount, and for what? These guys didn't even clean up after themselves.' Paramount was thrown into the national spotlight over the weekend as the Trump administration on Saturday said it would send 2,000 National Guard troops into Los Angeles after a second day in which protesters confronted immigration agents during raids of local businesses. Tension rose again Sunday in the Los Angeles area as protesters faced off with federal and local authorities in downtown L.A. Paramount, a small city of 54,000 in southeastern Los Angeles County, is known for how its residents and government officials worked in the 1980s to transform their hometown from a blighted 'rust belt' community to one that gained national awards. The city's website says that crime in Paramount, where more than 80% of residents are Latino, has fallen to all-time lows. Residents say the chaotic clashes between federal immigration authorities and protesters on Saturday left them shaken. Scorch marks in the intersection outside the Home Depot on Alondra Boulevard show where flash bang grenades went off. Multiple police agencies responded to the city over the weekend. By Sunday morning, a group of camouflaged National Guard troops were stationed in a business park with armored vehicles where a Department of Homeland Security office is located. Union organizers and local residents Ardelia Aldridge and Alejandro Maldonado helped organize a cleanup effort in the neighborhood. 'It's solidarity Sunday,' Aldridge said. The images of Paramount shrouded in smoke and flanked by police in riot gear were a far cry from the close-knit community that was once named an 'All-America City' and received a special commendation from the L.A. County Board of Supervisors for its turnaround. 'The whole community is just praying that things stay peaceful and the community moves forward,' Mayor Peggy Lemons said in an interview on Sunday. 'Paramount was all about a community of blue-collar workers who are doing their best to get by every day,' Lemons said. 'Today there are people who are angry about the federal government coming into their city,' she said. 'That comes from fear.' On Saturday, federal officers fired smoke canisters at protesters near the business park, and that putrid green smoke descended onto the nearby residential community. 'What else do you call it but an attack on Paramount and the people who live here?' Maldonado said. 'People in the community were standing up to unjust immigration policies.' In many ways, Paramount became the starting point for the escalating federal response that has brought the National Guard. 'It really does seem like they wanted to pick a fight with the little guy,' Aldridge said. There's a palpable fear in the community, Pastor Brian Warth at Chapel of Change said as a band played an upbeat song during Sunday service. He watched Saturday afternoon as police fired tear gas and then was out on Sunday morning to help clean up Alondra Boulevard. He understands that some people may have got out of hand during the protest but believes that people who were outside the business park simply wanted answers. 'And we still don't know what's going to happen next,' he said. 'I'm pleased and shocked to see people here today,' he said about Sunday service. 'There's a real unknowing feeling. God is good. Paramount is good.'
