No Lie with Brian Tyler Cohen
Episode: Trump turns LA into a warzone-- on purpose
Date: June 12, 2025
Overview
In this midweek episode, host Brian Tyler Cohen addresses the alarming situation in Los Angeles after Donald Trump federalized the National Guard and deployed hundreds of US Marines to the city. Cohen frames this as a deliberate escalation designed to distract from Trump’s troubles and to inflame political tensions, with serious implications for California and the rest of the US.
Through in-depth interviews with California Governor Gavin Newsom, Attorney General Rob Bonta, and polling analyst Elliot Morris, the episode explores the legal, political, and public opinion ramifications of the federal militarization of LA and its impact on immigrants, protesters, and American democracy as a whole.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Why Did Trump Federalize the National Guard in Los Angeles?
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Distraction Tactics:
- Cohen asserts the move is designed to distract from Trump’s political problems, including:
- His public feud with Elon Musk (who criticized his budget bill and accused him of unsavory conduct)
- Looming reconciliation bill, which would cut health care and food assistance for millions
- Recent court losses (including a 96% loss rate reported by Stanford)
- Sinking poll numbers on issues like immigration and the economy
- Quote (Cohen, 01:39):
“So he needed to gin up some controversy. And so he found an easy target. A big blue city in a big blue state led by the boogeyman of all boogeymen, Gavin Newsom.”
- Cohen asserts the move is designed to distract from Trump’s political problems, including:
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Testing Limits:
- Cohen argues LA is being used as a “test case” to see how far Trump can go in exercising federal power against blue states and cities.
- The concern: “If he's successful here, he will export his tactics to other blue cities...and then blue cities in purple states...and then blue cities in red states.” (02:32)
“Donald Trump does not want to be an authoritarian only in the eyes of Angelenos….everywhere has to start somewhere.” (02:56)
2. Interview with Governor Gavin Newsom (Begins ~04:06)
Did the National Guard Need to Be Deployed?
- Newsom categorically rejects the necessity:
“Of course not. He flamed the fires. This is exactly what he wanted… by illegally acting to federalize the National Guard.” (04:18)
- Newsom confirms the state will file a lawsuit immediately, arguing that the move was illegal, unconstitutional, and intended to create chaos.
The Move as Distraction
- Newsom ties Trump’s action directly to Trump’s need to dominate news cycles.
“It's all about news cycles 24, 7…Disastrous economic policies…even his biggest sycophant, Elon Musk, said likelihood of a recession...” (06:14)
The Dangers of Escalation & Precedent
- Newsom calls this a “constitutional moment” and frames it as a preview for future crackdowns elsewhere:
“This is not…about LA per se, it's about us today. Today, it's about you. Everyone watching tomorrow, I promise you. I mean, this guy's unhinged…” (09:46)
Federal-State Tensions and Authority
- Newsom explains the cooperative history between California and its National Guard, emphasizing that local authorities had not requested federal help:
“Right now there's no state National Guard that had been requested by local law enforcement because they had adequate resources. And Donald Trump knew that.” (08:27)
- Expressed concern about even discussing the possible use of Marines in a US city.
Lack of Consultation and Communications with Trump
- Newsom claims Trump lied about consulting him:
“He never brought up the National Guard. Stone cold liar said he did. Stone cold liar never did. Didn't even really want to talk about L.A…” (10:37)
Historical Echoes
- Cohen contrasts JFK’s use of the National Guard to expand civil rights with Trump’s deployment to contract rights.
- Newsom:
“It's unconstitutional, it's illegal, it's immoral…he's using this to divide this nation…in a way knowingly that puts people's lives at risk.” (11:59)
Message to Immigrant Community
- Newsom emphasizes their integral role:
“97% of this state is foreign born…good people been working decade-plus hard workers that are not criminals.” (13:49)
- Urges calm and peaceful protest, warns against violence.
Legal and Legislative Paths Forward
- Newsom outlines intent to seek a court injunction:
“We're going to immediately seek that first thing tomorrow morning. Absolutely. Look, that's all we got left. There's one, maybe two branches of government left. Sure as hell ain't the legislature.” (15:54)
On Threats of Insurrection Act
- Warns of growing authoritarianism from Trump:
“What more evidence do we need of the authoritarian tendencies…It's not even tendencies now. Actions.” (17:04)
Final Message for Trump:
“Tell the truth, own up to the truth. But what the hell is that? Advice to Donald Trump to talk honestly and truthfully. He's a stone cold liar…You can only work for him. And I will not. I refuse to work for Donald Trump.” (18:15)
3. Interview with Attorney General Rob Bonta (Begins ~18:45)
Legal Action Against Federal Deployment
- Bonta announces filing of a temporary restraining order (TRO) seeking immediate halt to the deployment:
“Today we are asking that the court issue an order immediately ordering that the deployment be invalid and unlawful and blocking their deployment into Los Angeles.” (19:04)
Timeline for Ruling
- Expects a swift response, possibly within hours or by end of week. (19:45)
On the Legal Merits
- Argues the law clearly requires governor consent and actual rebellion/invasion—neither of which applies:
“The statute…says that the governor needs to be consulted. There needs to be the governor's consent. Not only did Governor Newsom not consent, he strenuously objected…The statute…also requires a rebellion…or invasion…none of those elements are present.” (20:18)
Trump’s Manipulation of Language
- Bonta accuses Trump of warping definitions (“invasion”, “rebellion”) to seize emergency powers without basis.
“They're trying to manipulate and twist the language, giving it their own definitions…” (21:54)
- Stresses that LA authorities were capable, and the federal deployment arrived to “quiet streets.” (22:57)
Conditions for Deployed Troops
- National Guard sent in with little preparation or resources, at the cost of critical local missions (fighting fentanyl, wildfires):
“It's embarrassing, it's disrespectful, and it's insulting to the men and women of the California National Guard, who are patriots…who don't deserve to be treated as political pawns…” (25:07)
Fearmongering and Political Arrests
- Responds to threats of arrest against Newsom and Mayor Bass:
“It's more silly, toxic, tough talk, bluster and bluffing and threatening and bullying…it is reckless and it is dangerous. The president was asked, what's the crime that Governor Newsom committed? And he said, running for governor, which is obviously completely lawful…” (26:55-27:46)
- Lists recent politically motivated arrests of Democratic figures and activists as worrisome escalation of undemocratic behavior. (28:25)
Engineered Crisis as Political Strategy
- Bonta agrees the crackdown was “classic distraction” from Trump’s political woes and a play for power against blue states:
“It distracted and deflected from bad news coverage and gave him an opportunity to try to beat up on a blue state, which he sees as an enemy. Instead of being a president for all of America…” (30:00)
Message to Immigrant Community
- Offers reassurance and solidarity:
“I see you, I value you…In California, you belong, you have rights. If your rights are violated, they must be vindicated…We are a state of beautiful immigrants…we will do everything in our power to defend and protect our immigrants who are law abiding and productive…” (32:37)
4. Polling Analysis with Elliot Morris (Begins ~33:47)
How Do Americans Feel About Troop Deployments?
- Polling shows the public is against deploying federal troops to LA by a 7-point margin; opposition to sending Marines is even stronger.
“The polling shows that the average American does not like when federal troops come into their neighborhood to do any, basically any sort of, of police action that they like, are removed from.” (34:06)
- Protesters themselves are unpopular (by a 9-point margin), but so is using military force against them.
Political Logic and Risk for Trump
- Trump may be relying on past patterns (2020 BLM protests, Kenosha), assuming forceful law-and-order posturing will rally support.
- But history shows militarized crackdowns are not broadly popular and often backfire, except for small, localized gains (as in Kenosha).
Shifts in Trump’s Political Standing
- Significant erosion in Trump’s advantages on his core issues:
- Immigration: Dropped from a 10-point to a 3-point advantage
- Economy: From +10 to -14 points
- Inflation: Underwater by 20 points
“...he actually came in...with some degree of a mandate. But I think that was on the actual issues that he promised, which is that he's gonna go after hardened criminals. And we're seeing now as they've ramped up enforcement...you're just plucking kids out of schools...” (42:38)
Dangers of Overreach
- Elliot warns of backlash to deportations of non-criminal, well-integrated immigrants—such as the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, where spikes in media attention correlated with Trump’s ratings dropping to historical lows. (44:38)
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“The only reason we think that they could be popular is because it's on an issue that Donald Trump has previously had an advantage on.” (46:02)
Memorable Quotes & Timestamps
- Cohen:
“If he's successful here, he will export his tactics to other blue cities in blue states like New York and Chicago, and then blue cities in purple states like Philly and Milwaukee and Detroit, and then blue cities in red states like Austin and Miami.” (02:22)
- Newsom:
“This is a preview for things to come. This isn't about LA per se, it's about us today. Today, it's about you. Everyone watching tomorrow, I promise you…Donald Trump is unhinged right now. And this is just another proof point of that.” (09:46)
- Bonta:
“They are trying to manipulate and twist the language, giving it their own definitions…and get what is, what their true goal is, which is the power that comes when there actually is a rebellion or an emergency or an invasion. But it doesn't matter what they call it. It matters what it is.” (21:54)
- Elliot Morris:
“The polling shows that the average American does not like when federal troops come into their neighborhood to do any, basically any sort of, of police action…” (34:06)
- Newsom:
“Tell the truth, own up to the truth. But what the hell is that? Advice to Donald Trump to talk honestly and truthfully. He's a stone cold liar. I respect the presidency. I've tried to have an open hand with him, tried to work with him. Can't work with Donald Trump. You can only work for him. And I will not. I refuse to work for Donald Trump.” (18:15)
Segment Timestamps
- Main Discussion / Context: 00:28 – 03:50
- Gov. Newsom Interview: 04:06 – 18:39
- AG Rob Bonta Interview: 18:45 – 33:42
- Elliot Morris / Polling: 33:47 – 47:03
Summary Table: Key Moments
| Time | Speaker | Topic | Noteworthy Quote / Insight | |---------|-----------------|-----------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------| | 02:22 | Brian Cohen | LA as test case for authoritarian tactics | “If he's successful here, he will export his tactics...” | | 04:18 | Gov. Newsom | Federalization of National Guard unnecessary | “Of course not. He flamed the fires…illegally acting...” | | 09:46 | Newsom | National significance of the crisis | “This is a preview for things to come...about us today...” | | 13:49 | Newsom | Immigrant contributions, message of solidarity| “97% of this state is foreign born…” | | 19:04 | AG Bonta | TRO filing against armed deployment | “Today we are asking that the court issue an order immediately…”| | 21:54 | Bonta | Manipulation of legal language | “They are trying to manipulate and twist the language…” | | 26:55 | Bonta | Arrest threats against opponents | “It's more silly, toxic, ...but I'll say it's very dangerous.”| | 34:06 | Elliot Morris | Polling on deployment | “The average American does not like when federal troops come…”| | 41:27 | Morris | Decline in Trump’s polling on economy, immigration | “Today there's a three point gap...he's 14 points under water…”| | 44:38 | Morris | Backlash from wrongful deportations | “As media attention goes up, Trump's approval rating falls...”|
Tone & Language
The tone throughout is urgent, direct, and openly critical of Trump’s motives and actions. Cohen, Newsom, and Bonta all emphasize rule of law, democratic norms, and the dangers of political overreach—frequently using vivid, moral language (“immoral,” “unconstitutional,” “stone cold liar,” “authoritarian,” “dangerous,” “reckless,” “toxic tough talk”).
Conclusion
The episode is a sweeping condemnation of Trump’s militarization of Los Angeles, portraying it as an autocratic power grab aimed at distraction, intimidation, and political gain—at the expense of civil rights and democratic norms. Guests systematically dismantle the legal and moral justifications for the crackdown while polling evidence suggests the move is backfiring with the broader American public. The message: what’s happening in LA could be a harbinger for the nation if unchecked, and vigilance and resistance are required at every level.