White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt recently condemned the protests and riots in Los Angeles, calling them "shameful." During a press briefing, she criticized California officials for not controlling the unrest, which she attributed to "left-wing radicals."
Leavitt’s remarks came as tensions rose in Los Angeles following protests related to immigration raids. She emphasized President Donald Trump’s commitment to restoring order, stating that he had deployed the National Guard and mobilized Marines to help manage the situation. "They didn’t have the courage to do the right thing and protect law-abiding Californians from rioters," she said, referring to California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.
The press secretary assured that the "mob violence is being stomped out" and that those responsible for the chaos would face justice. She also mentioned that Trump’s administration would continue its operations against illegal immigration, despite the protests.
In response to questions about the deployment of troops, Leavitt explained that Trump had federalized California’s National Guard under U.S. Code 10. This week, approximately 2,000 National Guardsmen and 700 Marines were sent to Los Angeles to assist local law enforcement in controlling the riots.
Trump himself suggested that he would support arresting Governor Newsom if he obstructed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations during the unrest. He described Newsom as "grossly incompetent" and indicated that he believed many of the rioters were professional agitators rather than genuine protesters.
As the situation in Los Angeles continues to unfold, both state and federal officials are facing scrutiny over their handling of the protests. Leavitt’s comments reflect a broader narrative from the Trump administration, which seeks to portray the unrest as a failure of local leadership.