Latest news with #LaRiots
Yahoo
33 minutes ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Anti-ICE riot funding investigated after ‘numerous high budget requests' for paid agitators were reported
An investigation is underway into who is funding anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) riots disrupting Los Angeles and other major U.S. cities after a major company revealed it had received requests for help. Crowds on Demand, a California-based company that specializes in providing on-demand crowds for protests, told Fox News Digital it received "numerous high budget requests" to get involved with the anti-ICE riots in Los Angeles and other cities but declined to participate. A company spokesperson said it declined to get involved in what is happening in Los Angeles because it did "not want to get close to any form of illegal activity, including violence, vandalism or blocking off roads without a permit." "We receive inquiries regarding practically every major social cause imaginable, and the anti-ICE demonstrations are no exception," the company said. "The fact that we receive requests does not mean we take them, in many cases, because the budget does not match the ambition." Senator Launches Investigation Into Democratic Org Over Potential Support For La Rioters The company added it only takes on "impactful commonsense causes both for liberals and conservatives, but always represent(s) the commonsense position." Read On The Fox News App "Even organizing peaceful demonstrators around this issue (anti-ICE) could put those demonstrators at risk due to the presence of violent agitators and the difficulty for law enforcement in distinguishing between peaceful and violent activists," the company said. U.S. Customs and Border Protection said anyone found to be abusing the law will be held accountable. "We're not here to negotiate with criminals. Break the law, attack our agents — you will be arrested, prosecuted, and held accountable. No exceptions," the agency vowed in a statement on X. Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., the chairman of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism, shared that the committee is sending letters to multiple organizations believed to be behind the funding. One of the organizations called into questioning by Hawley and Republican California Rep. Kevin Kiley is the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, or CHIRLA, an advocacy group believed to be at the center of the anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles. "Who is funding the LA riots? This violence isn't spontaneous. As chairman of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime & Terrorism, I'm launching an investigation to find out," Hawley posted in a statement on X. Fbi Will Investigate 'Any Evidence Of A Criminal Conspiracy' In La Riots Hawley's letter noted that "credible reporting" has indicated the organization has provided "logistical support and financial resources to individuals engaged in these disruptive actions," referring to the Los Angeles riots. "Let me be clear: bankrolling civil unrest is not protected speech. It is aiding and abetting criminal conduct. Accordingly, you must immediately cease and desist any further involvement in the organization, funding or promotion of these unlawful activities," Hawley wrote. Kiley also questioned who was behind the funding for the rioters and suggested that California Gov. Gavin Newsom's motive may be a conflict of interest. "The 'nonprofit' behind the LA riots donated almost $500,000 to support Newsom's campaign. It then received $34 million in state funding. I'm sure this is all a coincidence," Kiley wrote in a post on X. Kiley also shared with Fox News Digital that CHIRLA has reportedly also sponsored a campaign to abolish ICE in the past. Crowds On Demand Has Received Over 100 'Lucrative' Anti-israel Requests Since Oct 7 "The NGO known as CHIRLA was centrally involved in the LA riots. The organization, which has previously sponsored a campaign to abolish ICE, alerted the rioters to where ICE operations were occurring in real time. The agitators would then show up and disrupt ICE activities, including through the use of violence," Kiley said. "This group is a major campaign contributor to Gavin Newsom and has received $34 million in state funding. An investigation is absolutely appropriate and necessary." IRS records obtained by Fox News show CHIRLA has received $34 million in government grants, including three from former President Joe Biden's administration for $750,000. The Million Voter Project, which received a portion of these funds and opposed Newsom's recall, has also supported anti-ICE protests, according to records. It is not clear whether either group funded any protest activity, and there is no evidence that they supported rioting. "It is absolutely absurd that either myself or the governor would be supportive in any way, shape or form to the vandalism and the violence that has taken place in our city," Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass told CNN in an interview Tuesday. "I have been abundantly clear that what is happening on our streets is unacceptable. Looting is criminal behavior. People will be arrested and prosecuted. I don't believe anybody who vandalizes the city supports immigrants." Bass' office told Fox News Digital she also set a curfew in downtown Los Angeles to "curb bad actors who do not support the immigrant community." "Law enforcement will arrest individuals who break the curfew, and you will be prosecuted," Bass vowed. Fox News Digital reached out to CHIRLA and Newsom's office for comment but did not immediately receive a response. Fox News Digital's Anders Hagstrom contributed to this report. Original article source: Anti-ICE riot funding investigated after 'numerous high budget requests' for paid agitators were reported
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Schiff demands Noem's resignation after fellow senator forcibly removed from briefing
Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., called for Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem to resign Thursday after fellow California Sen. Alex Padilla was forcibly removed from a press conference. "Kristi Noem should never have been appointed to that office," Schiff told reporters back on Capitol Hill. "She should resign from that office. There ought to be an investigation of the conduct of those officers." Schiff, whom President Donald Trump nicknamed "Shifty Schiff" on the 2024 campaign trail, and Padilla have been vocal opponents of Trump's second-term agenda. Such has been the case amid California's latest controversy, as both Golden State senators joined Democrats in accusing Trump of escalating tensions amid protests against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin quickly fired back at Schiff's call for Noem's resignation, telling Fox News Digital, "Senator Padilla chose disrespectful political theater and interrupted a live press conference without identifying himself or having his Senate security pin on as he lunged toward Secretary Noem." Democrat Senator Forcibly Removed After Crashing Dhs Secretary Noem's Press Conference "Mr. Padilla was told repeatedly to back away and did not comply with officers' repeated commands. U.S. Secret Service thought he was an attacker and officers acted appropriately," McLaughlin added. "Secretary Noem met with Senator Padilla after and held a 15-minute meeting." Read On The Fox News App Trump's Response To La Riots 'Endangers The Very Bedrock Of Our Democracy,' Schumer Warns The Trump administration ordered National Guardsmen and Marines to Los Angeles following days of anti-ICE protests and riots. The last time a sitting U.S. president used his federal authority to deploy the National Guard without the governor's request was during the civil rights march from Selma to Montgomery in 1965. Padilla interrupted Noem on Thursday as she provided an update to reporters about the anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles. Fox News reporters at the scene said Padilla appeared to be temporarily detained by Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) personnel after allegedly "lunging" at her during the press conference addressing the Los Angeles anti-ICE riots. Noem said she later met with him in a private room. After loudly speaking over Noem, Padilla was pushed out of the room by authorities as they ordered him to put his hands up. Schiff told reporters he was "disgusted" by the video from the scene. "The actions of the administration have been disgraceful, both in how they have conducted their indiscriminate raids and how they've separated families, but also by abusing the military in the way they have by calling out the National Guard over the objections of the governor of California, mobilizing the Marines when it was utterly unnecessary and in violation of the law," Schiff said. He added that Padilla had "every right to go into that room and demand answers. That is what a senator does, and for him to get that kind of abusive treatment, every senator who works in this Capitol should be offended by this and outraged by this." A fellow Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock didn't go as far as Schiff in calling for Noem's resignation, but told reporters "a lot of questions need to be answered." The Democratic National Committee (DNC) joined Democrats in condemning the Trump administration's actions Thursday. "This assault on U.S. Senator Alex Padilla has sent a violent message to all of America: If you dissent against Donald Trump and openly disagree with the government, then you are not safe in our country," DNC Chair Ken Martin said in a statement and added, "This horrifying escalation of violence is straight out of an authoritarian playbook." But the White House fired back in a statement to Fox News, shifting criticism to Padilla for disrupting the press conference. "Padilla stormed a press conference, without wearing his Senate pin or previously identifying himself to security, yelled, and lunged toward Secretary Noem," White House Deputy Press Secretary Abigail Jackson said. "Padilla didn't want answers; he wanted attention. Padilla embarrassed himself and his constituents with this immature, theater-kid stunt – but it's telling that Democrats are more riled up about Padilla than they are about the violent riots and assaults on law enforcement in LA." Fox News Digital's Alexandra Koch and Fox News' Bill Melugin, Patrick Ward and Krista Garvin contributed to this report. Original article source: Schiff demands Noem's resignation after fellow senator forcibly removed from briefing
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
DOJ slams Newsom's 'crass political stunt' over Trump's call-up of National Guard amid LA anti-ICE riots
The Department of Justice (DOJ) argues the courts should deny California's request for a restraining order against the Trump administration over its decision to activate National Guard soldiers in Los Angeles after violent riots broke out over the weekend amid Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids in the city. Democratic leaders in California claim President Donald Trump abused his authority by invoking a provision of Title 10 that allows the president to mobilize the National Guard if an invasion or rebellion is underway. California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, said in a statement Monday that Trump caused the bulk of the rioting because he unnecessarily deployed the military to protect ICE personnel and federal buildings. Newsom also claimed local and state police had the situation under control when Trump spurred chaos by issuing his National Guard proclamation. Weighing in on the matter a day ahead of a scheduled hearing, the DOJ made its case that Trump had the authority to call on the National Guard's response. Now And Then: How Trump's Response To La Riots Has Changed From 2020 Black Lives Matter And Antifa "In a crass political stunt endangering American lives, the Governor of California seeks to use this Court to stop the President of the United States from exercising his lawful statutory and constitutional power to ensure that federal personnel and facilities are protected," the DOJ said. "But, under the Constitution, the President is the Commander in Chief of the armed forces, and the President is responsible for ensuring the protection of federal personnel and federal facilities." Read On The Fox News App Since Friday, violent rioters who object to ICE's enforcement of immigration laws have targeted and damaged federal buildings, injured federal personnel and impeded federal functions, the DOJ said. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and other state and local law enforcement officials have been unable to bring order to Los Angeles, the DOJ claimed. Federal Judge Refuses To Block Trump's La National Guard Deployment On Newsom's Timeframe The agency also pointed to a comment made by LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell, who said during a news conference that "things have gotten out of control" and warned that "somebody could easily be killed." "Evaluating the unrest and threats to the enforcement of federal law that local and state authorities were unable or unwilling to control, the President responded by using the authority vested in him by statute and the Constitution to federalize and deploy the California National Guard to protect federal personnel and property, quell the mobs, and restore order," the DOJ wrote. "When the situation escalated further, the Secretary of Defense deployed a group of U.S. Marines to further assist. "The President has every right under the Constitution and by statute to call forth the National Guard and Marines to quell lawless violence directed against enforcement of federal law," the DOJ continued. "Yet instead of working to bring order to Los Angeles, California and its Governor filed a lawsuit in San Francisco seeking a court order limiting the federal government's ability to protect its property and officials." Newsom Files Emergency Motion To 'Immediately Block' Trump's Use Of Military To Stop La Riots The DOJ said California's request would "countermand" the president's military directives, which would be "unprecedented." "On the merits, Plaintiffs' claims are baseless," the DOJ said. Newsom also claimed Trump never consulted with him before activating the National Guard, though the statute does not have such a requirement, the DOJ said. "It merely directs, as a procedural matter, that the President's orders be conveyed "through" the Governor," the DOJ wrote. "They were." Historically, courts did not interfere when former President Dwight Eisenhower deployed the military to protect school desegregation, nor did they interfere when former President Richard Nixon deployed the military to deliver the mail during a postal strike. Ultimately, the DOJ recommended the court deny California and Newsom's motion for a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction. A spokesperson for Newsom's office told Fox News Digital, "This is incorrect and the federal administration damn well knows it." "President Trump continues to violate the U.S. Constitution and federal law by turning the military into his own personal police force against American citizens. As Governor Newsom said in his address to Californians and the American people yesterday, 'Trump is pulling a military dragnet across LA, well beyond his stated intent to just go after violent and serious criminals,'" the spokesperson said. "President Trump and members of the Trump administration have repeatedly and publicly declared that a takeover of the National Guard would be illegal and that it requires approval by the Governor." Fox News' Ashley Oliver contributed to this article source: DOJ slams Newsom's 'crass political stunt' over Trump's call-up of National Guard amid LA anti-ICE riots
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Newsom compared to infamous Dem governor who also tried to block National Guard
Vivek Ramaswamy said he sees parallels between California Gov. Gavin Newsom and another controversial Democratic governor who literally stood in the way of the National Guard and had well-known presidential ambitions. Newsom is beginning to "resemble" former Alabama Gov. George Wallace in several aspects of his response to Los Angeles' riots, Ramaswamy claimed Tuesday on Fox News' "Jesse Watters Primetime." The Ohio gubernatorial candidate noted how Wallace – an avowed segregationist who ran for president four times – forced the hand of President John F. Kennedy by preventing Black students from attending the University of Alabama. "[Newsom's] behavior is starting to resemble that of another Democratic governor from U.S. history by the name of George Wallace, who was the governor of Alabama, who famously stood in the way of federal desegregation," Ramaswamy said. Maxine Waters Taunts Armed Agents After Feds Slam Door On Her During La Riots: 'You Better Shoot Straight' "The parallels are actually pretty striking, if you think about it: Democrat governors, when you look at George Wallace, he resisted desegregation. Gavin Newsom is resisting deportations. George Wallace wanted segregated cities. Gavin Newsom wants sanctuary cities. George Wallace stood in the school door, blocking the way. Gavin Newsom is blocking the ICE vans. It's the same Democrat-governor playbook." Read On The Fox News App The former DOGE co-leader said both Newsom and Wallace "dodge[d] the feds and rall[ied] the radicals." "What they were both doing is really carving their Democratic primary path for their presidential ambitions," he added. "Gavin Newsom's presidential ambitions are going to end in the same place that George Wallace's did: In the dustbin of history where it belongs." In June 1963, Wallace prevented two Black students – Vivian Malone and James Hood – from enrolling on the Tuscaloosa campus of the University of Alabama and made his infamous "stand in the schoolhouse door." Newsom Says Los Angeles Rioters Will Be Prosecuted, Slams Trump For 'Traumatizing Our Communities' After Wallace refused Deputy Attorney General Nicholas Katzenbach's order to step aside, he delivered a pro-states-rights speech and did not budge. Kennedy federalized the Yellowhammer State's National Guard under the Insurrection Act. Gen. Henry Graham personally confronted Wallace, who ultimately relented. The next year, Wallace primaried President Lyndon Johnson and notably won a few northern states he had targeted on his segregationist platform – but lost to the incumbent. In 1968, he tried again on the American Independent line with a counter-civil-rights message – splitting the Democratic vote, winning five states and helping ultimate victor Richard Nixon. During his 1976 run, he apologized for his past support for segregation. This week, Newsom objected to President Donald Trump's federalization of the California National Guard and the ensuing deployment of 700 Marines to Los Angeles to assist in riot response. Late Tuesday, Clinton-appointed federal Judge Charles Breyer rejected a Newsom request to block Trump's military deployments. Newsom continued to lambaste Trump, saying in a video statement Tuesday that, "authoritarian regimes begin by targeting people who are least able to defend themselves, but they do not stop there." Newsom also took heat for his riot response strategy from some famous Los Angeles residents, including actor Jon Voight. "You fool," Voight fumed in an X video posted early Wednesday. "They [the rioters] would burn you down like they are burning the cars and the American flag." Fox News Digital reached out to Newsom for comment but did not immediately hear article source: Newsom compared to infamous Dem governor who also tried to block National Guard
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
White House mocks Newsom address, accuses governor of hiring Harris', Biden's campaign manager
The White House took several jabs at California Gov. Gavin Newsom's address to the nation on Tuesday night as his state navigates massive immigration protests in Los Angeles. Newsom, a Democrat, said in the address that "Democracy is under assault" as he sparred with President Donald Trump over the administration's decision to dispatch thousands of National Guard troops and hundreds of Marines to address the riots. In response, White House assistant to the president and director of communications Steven Cheung accused Newsom of spending time creating the video rather than serving as governor. Likewise, Cheung took a swipe at the video's audio, claiming the production quality was akin to Newsom's leadership. Newsom Says Los Angeles Rioters Will Be Prosecuted, Slams Trump For 'Traumatizing Our Communities' "Gavin NewScum spent all this time--instead of doing his actual job-- preparing for a webinar just for the audio to not work," Cheung said in a post on X late Tuesday evening. "The production quality is just like his leadership quality-- sh***y." Additionally, Cheung suggested that Newsom had brought on former President Joe Biden and former Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign manager, who both repeatedly warned during the 2024 campaign cycle that a second Trump term would pose a "threat to democracy." Read On The Fox News App "NewScum must've hired Kamala and Biden's loser campaign team because he saying this is a 'threat to democracy,'" Cheung said. A spokesperson for Newsom did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital. Other White House officials also weighed in on Newsom's address to defend the Trump administration's crackdown on immigration. "American voters elected President Donald Trump to carry out his agenda, which includes enforcing the immigration laws passed by their elected representatives," deputy assistant to the president and principal deputy communications director Alex Pfieffer said in a post on X on Tuesday. "California is trying to subvert democracy." Newsom Files Emergency Motion To 'Immediately Block' Trump's Use Of Military To Stop La Riots Newsom said in the address that more than 200 people have been arrested in connection to the protests and labeled Trump's decision to deploy troops to Los Angeles a "brazen abuse of power." "This isn't just about protests here in Los Angeles," Newsom said in the video. "This is about all of us. This is about you. California may be first, but it clearly will not end here. Other states are next. Democracy is next. Democracy is under assault before our eyes." White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller also responded to one of Newsom's posts on X late Tuesday evening after the governor said the Founding Fathers did not "live and die to see this moment," and urged for peaceful protests. Meanwhile, Miller shared a photo of a shirtless man standing on a vehicle and waving a California flag in front of fumes with the comment: "According to Governor Newsom, this is what the Founders were fighting for." Trump has gone head-to-head with Newsom over the deployment of 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines to Los Angeles following protests sparked by ICE arrests in the city on Friday. Hegseth Defends National Guard La Deployments, Says Ice Agents Must Be Protected While Trump has argued the National Guard troops are necessary to prevent destruction in Los Angeles, Newsom said most of the troops "are sitting, unused, in federal buildings without orders." Additionally, Newsom argued that the move violates state sovereignty because governors typically oversee National Guard troops. Trump invoked a law to place the troops under federal command in order to bypass Newsom. "This isn't about public safety," Newsom said in a post on X on Monday. "It's about stroking a dangerous President's ego."Original article source: White House mocks Newsom address, accuses governor of hiring Harris', Biden's campaign manager
