A deepening political chasm has emerged over the escalating immigration-related riots in Los Angeles, with prominent figures on both sides trading blame and defending their respective approaches.
Progressive leader Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) has squarely placed the blame for the chaos at the feet of President Donald Trump. At the same time, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has vehemently defended federal intervention and chastised California Governor Gavin Newsom’s handling of the unrest.
Los Angeles has been gripped by a wave of violent riots and clashes between anti-ICE protesters and law enforcement since last Friday, sparked by ongoing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in the city.
READ: AOC Rips DHS, Trump After California Sen. Padilla Forcibly Removed From Noem Presser
In an interview with Fox News Digital, Ocasio-Cortez asserted that President Trump is “creating this chaos” and that his administration “owns this.”
She accused Trump and Homeland Security advisor Stephen Miller of taking calculated steps to “sow chaos and stoke unrest throughout the country.” Ocasio-Cortez stated, “It’s his decisions, his aggression. His ability to intentionally stoke this, that is the problem.”
In response to the escalating violence, President Trump has federalized 2,000 California National Guard forces and deployed them to Los Angeles to quell the unrest and ensure public safety. This decision comes amidst sharp criticism from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem regarding Governor Newsom’s perceived inaction.
Speaking from her home state of South Dakota in an exclusive interview with “Face the Nation,” last week, Secretary Noem strongly defended President Trump’s actions.
“President Trump is putting the safety of the communities that are 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 stated. She clarified that the deployed National Guard soldiers are “specifically trained for this type of crowd situation,” with tasks including providing security around buildings, protecting peaceful protesters, and safeguarding law enforcement.
READ: Fox News’ Greg Gutfeld Says ‘Douche’ Democrat Senator Was Lucky ‘He Wasn’t Flattened’ By DHS
Noem painted a stark picture of the anarchy in Los Angeles, citing incidents of “officers with a shattered wrist from bricks being thrown through their vehicles, their vehicles being burned, flags being burned in the street, and Molotov cocktails being thrown.”
She directly attributed this volatile situation to Governor Newsom’s handling of the crisis, declaring, “If he was doing his job, then people wouldn’t have gotten hurt the last couple of days.” Noem accused Newsom of making “bad decisions,” stating, “The President knows that he makes bad decisions, and that’s why the President chose the safety of this community over waiting for Governor Newsom to get some sanity.”
Noem also emphasized the crucial role of ICE operations in combating criminal elements exploiting the protests. She highlighted the apprehension of “horrible people” – gang members involved in assault, drug trafficking, and human trafficking – crediting ICE’s efforts for enhancing community safety. This focus on underlying criminality stands in contrast to the more lenient approach many conservatives attribute to some progressive local authorities.
READ: “We Will Kill You, Graveyard Dead”: Florida Sheriff’s Unfiltered Warning To Potential Rioters
The interview also touched upon the controversial issue of mask-wearing at protests, with reports of President Trump banning them.
While Noem did not explicitly state that National Guard soldiers would enforce this, she reiterated that “the law is going to be enforced,” implying a firm stance against anonymity that could facilitate illegal activities. She justified law enforcement officers covering their faces for “safety of those individuals or the work that they’re doing as far as protecting their identity so they can continue to do investigative work.”
Secretary Noem’s interview clearly signals a Trump administration determined to take decisive action, even if it means overriding state preferences.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
