Podcast Summary: The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell
Episode: Lawrence and Rachel Maddow discuss Trump saying in 2020 presidents can't deploy the National Guard
Release Date: June 10, 2025
In this compelling episode of The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell, host Lawrence O’Donnell engages in a deep dive into President Donald Trump's controversial decision to deploy the National Guard to Los Angeles in response to relatively minor protests. Joined by prominent guests, including MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow and economist Jason Furman, the episode unpacks the broader implications of Trump's actions on governance, media coverage, gun laws, and international relations.
1. Trump’s Deployment of National Guard to Los Angeles
Lawrence O’Donnell initiates the discussion by critiquing President Trump’s decision to send 2,700 National Guard troops to Los Angeles. He emphasizes the disproportionality of the response to the size of the protests.
“Donald Trump sent 2,000 California National Guard troops to Los Angeles for one of the smallest public and televised protests in Los Angeles history.” [00:31]
O’Donnell argues that this move is a strategic distraction orchestrated by Trump to divert media attention away from negative coverage, including impeachment discussions and unpopular budget proposals. The deployment serves to monopolize news cycles with images of troops in Los Angeles, effectively suppressing other significant news stories.
2. Media Coverage and Suppression of Other News
O’Donnell criticizes the media’s focus on Trump's actions in Los Angeles, suggesting that it overshadows critical issues such as rising firearm deaths among children.
“Fox and several of the right leaning Christian zealot media are just obsessed about this very minor protest in LA. They don't want you to know that it’s the number one cause of death in children ages 1 to 17 is death by gunshot.” [Timestamp not specified]
He highlights how the media’s fixation on Trump’s troop deployment and his public stumble at Air Force One detracts from more pressing concerns affecting American society.
3. Gun Laws and Firearm Deaths in Children
A significant portion of the episode addresses the alarming increase in firearm deaths among children, correlating this rise with the enactment of more permissive gun laws post the 2010 Supreme Court decision.
“Firearm deaths of children and teenagers rose significantly in states that enacted more permissive gun laws after the Supreme Court in 2010 limited local government's ability to restrict gun ownership.” [Transcript around 05:00]
O’Donnell links Trump’s and the Republican Party’s stance on gun control to these tragic statistics, arguing that Republican-controlled states with lax gun laws see higher rates of child firearm deaths.
4. Criticism of President Trump’s Behavior and Media Obsession with Stumbling
O’Donnell examines the media’s disproportionate focus on President Trump’s physical stumbles, drawing parallels to the excessive coverage of Joe Biden’s similar incidents.
“By keeping the attention focused on Los Angeles, tonight many news consumers will never hear what Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said...” [Approximately 10:00]
He underscores how such trivial matters are weaponized against presidents, detracting from their policies and actions, and maintaining a narrative that emphasizes personal shortcomings over substantive leadership.
5. Analysis of Trump’s Trade War with China and Economic Impact
Economist Jason Furman joins the discussion to analyze the ramifications of Trump’s tariffs on China, particularly focusing on rare earth elements essential for U.S. industries.
“China is withholding rare earths from us. And we're now in a place where we might concede some of the things that Biden did for national security...” [28:15]
Furman explains that the tariffs have not only strained U.S.-China relations but have also hampered American industries reliant on these materials. He suggests that the unilateral approach has been detrimental, advocating for a more coordinated effort with allies to effectively negotiate trade terms.
O’Donnell and Furman discuss the long-term economic fallout, noting that American consumers bear the brunt of increased prices due to tariffs, while the intended economic benefits for the wealthy remain questionable.
6. Discussion on Ambiance Apparel Raid and Immigration Issues
The episode delves into the controversial raid on Ambiance Apparel in Los Angeles, where 46 workers were detained without clear charges. O’Donnell criticizes the administration’s misuse of immigration enforcement.
“Donald Trump got 46 of them and not one of them has been charged with a crime.” [Around 18:29]
He argues that the raid was not about public safety but rather an overreach of authority aimed at instilling fear and distractibility, further exacerbating tensions within immigrant communities.
7. Ukraine-Russia Conflict and International Relations
The conversation shifts to international affairs, particularly Russia’s drone attacks on Kyiv and Zelensky’s response to Trump’s characterization of the conflict as a playground fight between two children.
“This is an adult. Putin is definitely not a child. He knows exactly what he's doing. This is more like an adult maniac...” [31:46]
Retired Lieutenant General Mark Hertling provides insights into the escalating conflict, emphasizing Russia’s continued aggression and Ukraine’s resilient defense strategies. The discussion highlights the global implications of domestic political maneuvers and the importance of accurate media representation in international conflicts.
8. Insights from Guests: Jason Furman and General Mark Hertling
Jason Furman critiques the effectiveness of Trump’s trade policies and the mishandling of economic strategies that have resulted in increased national debt and strained international relations.
“We should have focused on China from the beginning, and we should have gotten our allies together with us...” [30:47]
General Hertling reinforces the severity of Russia’s actions in Ukraine, comparing Putin’s aggression to a bully threatening innocent lives, and underscores the necessity of robust defense measures.
“You have a bully entering a playground with a loaded weapon and threatening kids. It is an apt description of what Russia has been doing...” [34:45]
Conclusion
Lawrence O’Donnell wraps up the episode by reiterating the need for media outlets to prioritize significant national and international issues over trivial distractions orchestrated by the current administration. He emphasizes the importance of informed public discourse and the responsibility of both the government and media in shaping an accurate portrayal of events.
“You can't cower to bullies. You don't need to be hopeless. We have our voices and I will continue using mine.” [31:16]
Overall, this episode offers a critical examination of President Trump’s strategies to control media narratives, the tangible impacts of his policies on American society, and the broader implications for international relations. Through incisive analysis and expert insights, O’Donnell provides listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the intersecting issues shaping the current political landscape.