Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) used his “Meet the Press” appearance on Sunday to launch a scathing attack on President Donald Trump and his proposed tax bill, as well as the activation of the National Guard, yet conspicuously sidestepped the critical role that progressive rhetoric may have played in the recent unrest in Los Angeles.
While Booker decried Trump’s policies, his condemnation of “chaos” seemed to overlook the very real, violent actions taken against federal law enforcement.
Booker slammed Trump for deploying the National Guard to Los Angeles, branding it a tradition-breaking move that would only “incite the situation.”
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He accused Trump of hypocrisy, referencing the January 6th Capitol riot. However, this criticism comes as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has painted a stark picture of the Los Angeles situation, directly implicating the very “chaos” Booker railed against.
The DHS statement released on Saturday laid bare a horrifying scene in Los Angeles, where “over 1,000 rioters surrounded and attacked a federal building” and assaulted ICE officers.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin explicitly stated that Mayor Karen Bass “took the side of chaos and lawlessness over law enforcement,” with the LAPD reportedly taking over two hours to respond despite desperate calls for aid.
These were not merely “peaceful protests” as Booker suggested. DHS detailed that ICE operations had successfully arrested 118 individuals, including gang members and those with prior criminal histories of drug trafficking, assault, and domestic violence.
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Yet, instead of acknowledging the bravery of officers facing a 413% increase in assaults, Booker focused on Trump’s supposed incitement. McLaughlin directly linked the surge in violence against ICE to
“Democrat politicians like Hakeem Jeffries, Mayor Wu of Boston, Tim Walz, and Mayor Bass of Los Angeles” who have “vilified and demonized ICE law enforcement.”
Booker continued his offensive by championing fellow Democrat Chris Van Hollen, whom Trump called a “loser” for his involvement in the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia. Booker insisted on the importance of “due process,” a principle often invoked by Democrats even when it arguably impedes effective law enforcement and border security.
The Senator saved some of his harshest words for Trump’s “tax and spend” bill, echoing Elon Musk’s description of it as a “disgusting abomination.”
Booker warned of “trillions of dollars of debt” and rising costs for Americans, painting a grim picture of $900 annual increases in healthcare premiums and $250 in energy costs, along with 16 million Americans losing health insurance. While advocating for fiscal prudence, Booker’s party has historically been criticized for its own expansive spending policies.
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Despite criticizing Musk’s online pronouncements, Booker offered him an invitation to “get involved right now in a more substantive way” against the bill, even while refusing to accept Musk’s campaign donations. This selective acceptance of influence raises questions about true motivations.
Booker urged Democrats to prioritize the “American people” over party concerns, acknowledging a “trust problem for Republicans and Democrats.” He called for politicians to “show that you’re a fighter.” However, for many conservatives, that fight should begin with supporting law enforcement and condemning the real-world consequences of reckless anti-police rhetoric, a point largely absent from Booker’s narrative.
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