“California is no stranger to immigration enforcement. But instead of focusing on undocumented immigrants with serious criminal records and people with final deportation orders, a strategy both parties have long supported, this administration is pushing mass deportations, indiscriminately targeting hardworking immigrant families, regardless of their roots or risk.”
That was California Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom in a primetime address to Californians on June 10, blasting President Donald Trump for implementing a deportation program for illegal aliens that will deport whether or not the migrant has a criminal record. The address came as Los Angeles Democratic Mayor Karen Bass had declared an 8 p.m. PST curfew amid continued violence against law enforcement and federal agents that began on June 6 as the Edward R. Roybal federal building was targeted.
Reporting on the violence, ABC News’ Bill Hutchinson noted the sequence of events from June 6, prior to President Trump’s June 7 federalizing the National Guard in California, as protesters unsuccessfully attempted to obstruct Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations: “Around 3 p.m. local time, a crowd begins gathering in the downtown Fashion District after ICE agents show up at an apparel manufacturing business. Aerial footage taken by ABC News’ Los Angeles station, KABC, shows what appears to be ICE agents loading two white passenger vehicles with people in handcuffs. As the vehicles leave the apparel business, protesters try unsuccessfully to stop them, including one individual who was seen lying down in the path of one of the cars.”
Then, protesters converged on the federal building, leading to violence, “Several hours later, a large group of protesters gathered outside the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse downtown, calling for an end to immigration raids in the city. Video footage shows protesters vandalizing the building, heckling police and throwing bottles and other objects at officers who used shields to protect themselves. Police in riot gear are seen confronting protesters with batons and what appeared to be tear gas launchers. At 10 p.m., the LAPD posts a message on social media, saying ‘an UNLAWFUL ASSEMBLY has been declared for the area’ around the downtown federal building and advises protesters and others to leave the area.”
Describing the June 6 violence was Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) acting director Todd Lyons in a June 7 statement, writing, “Our brave officers were vastly outnumbered, as over 1,000 rioters surrounded and attacked a federal building. It took over two hours for the Los Angeles Police Department to respond, despite being called multiple times.”
But to hear Newsom tell the tale, the “downward spiral began” on June 7 after President Trump activated the National Guard, with Newsom stating, “Donald Trump, without consulting California law enforcement leaders, commandeered 2,000 of our state’s National Guard members to deploy on our streets, illegally and for no reason… That’s when the downward spiral began.”
But it’s just not true. The violence began on June 6 and then spilt into June 7 when rioters began hurling rocks and concrete at federal agents and police, which is what prompted Trump to activate the National Guard. By then, the federal building, federal agents and police had already been attacked.
Meanwhile, Los Angeles Mayor Bass’ own version of events pivots the blame to the lawful immigration enforcement operations by ICE and the Border Patrol. Appearing on CNN’s “Situation Room” said the trouble began on Friday, June 6: “I just have to say that if you dial back time and go to Friday, if immigration raids had not happened here, we would not have the disorder that went on last night… I will tell you that it is peaceful now, but we do not know where and when the next raids will be.”
In other words, damned if you do, damned if you don’t. No matter what, when it comes to riots, it’s Trump’s fault, whether or not he activated the National Guard. Had Trump not activated the Guard, the ICE raids on illegal aliens — who have no right to be here — are blamed. And when President Trump responds to the riots with the Guard to protect federal buildings and personnel endangered by the violent mob, then that’s the reason for the riots.
Blame the victim much, Governor Newsom?
Robert Romano is the Executive Director of Americans for Limited Government Foundation.
