Morning Wire: LA Riots Continue & Troops Move In | June 10, 2025

Released on June 10, 2025

Overview

In this episode of Morning Wire, hosted by Georgia Howe and featuring Daily Wire Editor-in-Chief John Bickley, the focus centers on the escalating anti-ICE riots in Los Angeles. The discussion delves into the deployment of federal troops, the political ramifications within California, the role of media narratives, and the involvement of immigrant rights organizations. This comprehensive summary highlights the key points, notable quotes, and insights shared during the episode.

Deployment of Troops in Los Angeles

John Bickley provides an in-depth analysis of President Donald Trump's decision to deploy additional military forces to Los Angeles amidst ongoing riots.

• Military Deployment Details:

  • President Trump directed 3,000 members of the 7th Infantry Division and 1,500 Marines to standby at El Toro Air Station.
  • These forces will complement the 2,000 National Guardsmen already active in the city.

• Riot Activity:

  • Rioters have been active in disrupting city life, including shutting down highways, setting cars on fire, and attacking police with bricks, Molotov cocktails, and fireworks.
  • Significant incidents involved the destruction of the LAPD headquarters and the looting of businesses like a Jordan sneaker store.

• Trump’s Stance:

  • On Truth Social, Trump asserted, “I would arrest him if I were Tom” in response to California Governor Gavin Newsom's criticisms.
  • He emphasized his commitment to the community, stating, “We need to push back.” ([02:26] [03:37] [04:04])

California's Political Response

The episode highlights the tense relationship between California's Democratic leaders and the Trump administration's actions.

• Governor Gavin Newsom’s Reaction:

  • Newsom announced plans to sue the Trump administration, claiming the deployment of the National Guard without state consultation was “illegal and immoral” ([03:37]).
  • He challenged Trump’s actions, advocating for legal measures against what he perceives as federal overreach.

• State Lawsuit:

  • California Attorney General Rob Bonta explained that the state’s lawsuit is based on procedural violations and constitutional oversteps by President Trump’s deployment of federal troops.

• Democratic Lawmakers’ Statements:

  • Senator Alex Padilla downplayed the riots, referring to them as “peaceful” and suggested that such disturbances were to be expected (04:40).
  • Congresswoman Maxine Waters falsely claimed, “There has been no violence” and made provocative statements towards National Guardsmen, including, “If you shoot me, you better shoot straight.” ([05:01], [05:09], [05:17])

Media Coverage Analysis

Morning Wire critiques legacy media outlets for their portrayal of the LA riots, drawing parallels to past media narratives.

• Media Narratives:

  • John Bickley references CNN’s 2020 description of BLM riots as “fiery but peaceful”, suggesting a pattern of minimizing violent actions by protesters.
  • ABC anchor’s cautious language, warning about potential volatility if law enforcement is mishandled, mirrors this trend.
  • MSNBC’s Julian Castro is cited as placing blame on ICE, reinforcing governmental support for the riots' underlying causes ([05:23], [05:53])

• Contrary Video Evidence:

  • Bickley points out that video footage contradicts media claims, showing ICE agents provoking protests and depicting protesters as non-aggressive, thus supporting the argument that media narratives may be skewed.

Involvement of Immigrant Rights Organizations

The episode sheds light on the role of immigrant rights groups, particularly the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA), in fueling the protests.

• Funding and Influence:

  • Laura Powell, civil liberties attorney and founder of Californians for Good Governance, reveals that CHIRLA receives substantial funding from California taxpayers, increasing from $12 million in 2022 to $34 million in 2023.
  • CHIRLA is linked to various Democratic leaders, including Mayor Karen Bass, who has facilitated their access to federal funds.

• Operational Tactics:

  • The organization operates a rapid response network that alerts communities about ICE operations, enabling mass protests and disruptions.
  • Powell highlights that CHIRLA’s strategies involve mobilizing supporters to interfere with ICE activities, thereby intensifying anti-ICE sentiment and actions within Los Angeles ([11:02] [12:45] [12:53]).

Legal and Constitutional Implications

The deployment of federal troops raises significant legal questions regarding the Insurrection Act and the balance of state versus federal authority.

• Insurrection Act Context:

  • Typically, the federal government is prohibited from using military forces for domestic law enforcement, except under the Insurrection Act, which allows for intervention to suppress rebellions.
  • The act requires congressional authorization or specific circumstances that justify its use.

• California’s Legal Challenge:

  • Governor Newsom and Attorney General Bonta argue that Trump’s move bypasses necessary legal procedures and infringes upon the state’s autonomy, potentially violating the 10th Amendment.

• Historical Comparisons:

  • The episode draws parallels to past instances where federal troops were deployed in LA, such as during the Rodney King riots in 1992, noting that unlike then, Trump's actions lack the support of state and local leaders ([07:50] [08:26] [09:00]).

Conclusion

The Morning Wire episode provides a critical examination of the ongoing LA riots, highlighting the complexities of federal intervention, state resistance, media narratives, and the influence of immigrant rights organizations. Through detailed reporting and analysis, the hosts present a narrative that underscores the tension between federal authority and state sovereignty, the role of political leaders in addressing civil unrest, and the implications of media portrayal on public perception.

Notable quotes from the episode include:

• Donald Trump: “Come after me, arrest me. Let's just get it over with.” ([00:11])
• Governor Gavin Newsom: “Donald Trump is putting fuel on this fire.” ([03:37])
• Senator Alex Padilla: “There have been no violence where anybody that was protesting hit anybody, shot anybody, threaten anybody.” ([05:01])

This comprehensive overview offers listeners a clear understanding of the multifaceted issues surrounding the LA riots and the broader political discourse.

For more updates and in-depth analysis, tune in to future episodes of Morning Wire.