The 700 Marines deployed by the Trump administration to Los Angeles are expected to be on the streets later today or Friday. They will support up to 4,000 National Guard troops in protecting federal property and agents on immigration raids.
In an interview with The Daily podcast, California Governor Gavin Newsom said the deployment, supposedly to restore order amid unrest sparked by ICE raids, was “theater, madness, unconstitutional.”
Mayor Karen Bass says the presence of troops has exacerbated tensions.
Newsom called President Donald Trump a “stone-cold liar” after he claimed he spoke with the governor about federalizing National Guard troops and questioned his mental acuity.
Trump posted this morning that Los Angeles was “safe and sound for the last two nights,” despite continued unrest, saying it was due to the National Guard, despite their limited role, and the Marines, who are not there yet.
Protests have flared up in at least 37 cities since last Friday, The Independent has found. More are scheduled for today.
In a particularly shocking moment, California Senator Alex Padilla was forcibly removed, restrained, and handcuffed during a press conference being held by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem when he accused her of exaggerating.
Here’s what you need to know this morning
- Los Angeles enforced a second consecutive curfew to curb criminal activity amid ongoing protests against ICE raids, with 700 Marines expected to join 4,000 National Guard troops in the city.
- California Governor Gavin Newsom criticised President Trump’s deployment of troops as “theater, madness, unconstitutional,” and accused Trump of fabricating a conversation about federalizing the National Guard.
- Protests have erupted in at least 37 cities since last Friday, with more planned, including 1,800 “No Kings” demonstrations nationwide on Saturday.
- Newsom’s representatives denied claims that his wife was shopping during the protests after a White House special envoy accused them of not caring about the chaos.
- A federal court hearing is scheduled to test Trump’s authority to deploy military troops to protest areas, with Newsom seeking to block the administration from using the military to enforce immigration laws.
Padilla’s office issues statement on senator’s forced removal from Noem press conference
The Office of California Senator Alex Padilla, ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, released the following statement after he was forcibly removed from Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem’s press conference while performing Congressional oversight in Los Angeles:
Senator Padilla is currently in Los Angeles exercising his duty to perform Congressional oversight of the federal government’s operations in Los Angeles and across California. He was in the federal building to receive a briefing with General Guillot and was listening to Secretary Noem’s press conference. He tried to ask the Secretary a question, and was forcibly removed by federal agents, forced to the ground and handcuffed. He is not currently detained, and we are working to get additional information.
Full story: Senator Alex Padilla forcibly removed after interrupting Kristi Noem’s immigration press conference
Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA) was forcibly removed by what appeared to be law enforcement officials on Thursday when he interrupted a Los Angeles press conference by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, who was discussing the Trump administration’s response to the ongoing demonstration in the sity over President Donald Trump’s immigration raids and mass deportation efforts.
Justin Baragona has the latest.
Watch: Senator Padilla restrained and handcuffed
Here’s the moment California Democratic Senator Alex Padilla was forced to the floor and handcuffed by FBI agents.
Noem calls Padilla interruption ‘inappropriate’
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem says Senator Alex Padilla did not ask for a meeting with her, and criticized his interruption.
“I think everybody in America would agree that that was inappropriate,” she said.
“He did not request a meeting with me or to speak with me, so when I leave here, I’ll have a conversation with him and find out what his concerns were.”
Schumer says ‘manhandling’ of Sen. Padilla ‘sickened my stomach’
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, having seen the footage of fellow Democrat Senator Alex Padilla being manhandled out of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s press conference, took to the Senate floor, demanding “immediate answers to what the hell went on,” saying it “sickened my stomach.”
Congressional Hispanic Caucus demands full investigation to assault on senator
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus is demanding a full investigation into the treatment of Senator Alex Padilla during Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s press conference.
A tweet from the group reads: “This is unacceptable, full stop. @SenAlexPadilla attended an open press conference to engage in debate, to represent his state, to do his job.
“We demand a full investigation and consequences for every official involved in this assault against a sitting US senator.”
Newsom slams treatment of California senator as ‘outrageous, dictatorial, and shameful’
California Governor Gavin Newsom calls the treatment of Senator Alex Padilla “outrageous, dictatorial, and shameful,” adding that “Trump and his shock troops are out of control.”
Noem says some protest activity in LA ‘un-American’
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem called some of the protest activity seen in Los Angeles this week “un-American.”
She specifically highlighted the waving of Mexican flags by some protesters, who argue that the flags are an expression of pride in one’s homeland, something they say couldn’t be more American.
Noem said that immigration authorities will continue to carry out arrests of people in the country illegally who have criminal records, and that protesters who engage in vandalism and violence will “face consequences.”
Here’s Michelle Del Rey on how Mexican flags have featured in the protests:
Source: independent.co.uk