The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell: Jan. 6 Was the One Day in Trump's Presidency When He Needed to Call in Federal Troops
Release Date: June 11, 2025
Host: Lawrence O'Donnell, MSNBC
1. Breaking Election News: Mikey Sherrill Secures New Jersey Governorship
[00:34 – 02:30]
Lawrence O'Donnell opens the episode with significant election updates, announcing that Democratic Congresswoman Mikey Sherrill has won the New Jersey Democratic primary for governor. O'Donnell emphasizes Sherrill's strong candidacy and the Democratic Party's robust position in New Jersey.
Lawrence O'Donnell (01:10): “The House of Representatives has won the New Jersey Democratic primary for governor. That is nominee Mikey Sherrill right there. It was an early call in the state of New Jersey. It was a decisive win in that primary for Mikey Sherrill.”
He highlights the rising trend of women with national security expertise within the Democratic Party, comparing figures like Abigail Spanberger, Senator Alyssa Slotkin, and Mikey Sherrill to former President Donald Trump, suggesting that Democrats possess a superior understanding of military and defense issues.
John (01:25): “A lot more military experience than Donald Trump and a lot better understanding of what the American military is actually for.”
2. Governor Gavin Newsom Denounces Need for Federal Troops in California
[33:28 – 35:07]
Governor Gavin Newsom addresses the nation, countering President Trump's claims about lawlessness in Los Angeles. He dismantles Trump's narrative by asserting the absence of violent threats necessitating federal intervention.
Gavin Newsom (33:39): “And by the way, Trump, he's not opposed to lawlessness and violence as long as it serves him.”
Newsom criticizes Trump's actions, including the misuse of federal troops for political stunts, and highlights his administration's efforts to maintain order without federal interference.
3. Republican Budget Bill Faces Senate Resistance
[29:18 – 31:08]
O'Donnell discusses the ongoing challenges Republicans face in passing their budget bill in the Senate. He outlines the bill's potential repercussions, including the removal of healthcare coverage for 14 million Americans and a significant increase in the national debt by $2.4 trillion.
Lawrence O'Donnell (03:45): “Republicans still do not have the votes in the United States Senate to pass the Trump Republican budget bill that will rip health care coverage away from 14 million people, and it will increase the national debt by $2.4 trillion.”
He contrasts the anticipated media frenzy over the budget bill's passage with the current situation in Los Angeles, where protests are minimal and largely peaceful.
4. Comparing Current Protests to January 6th Insurrection
[23:44 – 31:15]
O'Donnell delves into the similarities and differences between the January 6th Capitol riot and the present-day protests in Los Angeles. He argues that the scale and threat level are vastly different, highlighting that current protests are mostly peaceful and efficiently managed by local law enforcement without the need for federal intervention.
Lawrence O'Donnell (27:06): “These were people. And how would you compare that to what you were encountering on January 6th?”
Former Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn joins the discussion, providing firsthand insight into the January 6th events and contrasting them with the current situation.
Harry Dunn (24:39): “I've seen videos of them being people being trampled by horses or beat by police officers and peacefully protesting.”
5. Impact of Donald Trump's Policies and Military Deployment
[35:07 – 39:08]
Lawrence O'Donnell critiques Donald Trump's handling of national security and his misuse of the military for political purposes. He cites Trump's failed promises on immigration, including the unrealistic goal of deporting 15 million people, which starkly contrasts with the minimal enforcement actions taken.
Lawrence O'Donnell (08:45): “Donald Trump cannot possibly round up the tens of thousands of people a day who he promised his voters he would be deporting every single day.”
Congressman Eric Swalwell joins to further condemn Trump's actions, including the deployment of 700 Marines to Los Angeles for a perceived political stunt.
Eric Swalwell (37:06): “It's an insult to their training, to their experience, to their service.”
Swalwell emphasizes the misuse of military resources, highlighting the $134 million cost associated with these unnecessary deployments and advocating for focusing on substantive issues like homelessness and education instead.
6. Robert Kennedy Jr.'s Controversial Actions in the CDC
[41:34 – 45:10]
O'Donnell shifts focus to Robert Kennedy Jr., now serving as Secretary of Health and Human Services. Kennedy Jr. has made significant and controversial changes, including firing the entire Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) vaccine advisory board.
Lawrence O'Donnell (42:52): “...but these vaccines are literally going to cost people their lives.”
Former CDC Director Dr. Tom Frieden criticizes Kennedy Jr.'s decision, stating it undermines decades of scientific rigor and public trust.
Dr. Tom Frieden (43:07): “We'll look back at this as a grave mistake that sacrificed decades of scientific rigor.”
Senator Angela Alsobrooks of Maryland confronts Kennedy Jr. over his statements suggesting different vaccine schedules for Black and White populations, highlighting the dangerous misinformation being propagated.
Angela Alsobrooks (43:33): “Mr. Kennedy, with all due respect, that is so dangerous. That is so dangerous.”
7. Senator Angela Alsobrooks Criticizes Kennedy Jr.'s Policies
[43:33 – 46:17]
Senator Angela Alsobrooks continues her critique, outlining the broader negative impacts of Kennedy Jr.'s policies, including substantial cuts to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other critical health services.
Angela Alsobrooks (44:08): “He is literally making Americans sicker by the day.”
She calls for accountability and emphasizes the detrimental effects of reduced funding on public health initiatives, mental health services, and cancer research.
Angela Alsobrooks (45:10): “These vaccines are literally going to cost people their lives.”
O'Donnell concludes this segment by reinforcing the narrative that Trump's administration and its allies are diverting attention from pressing issues through reckless policies and political stunts.
8. Conclusion and Preview
[46:28 – End]
Lawrence O'Donnell wraps up the episode by summarizing the key points discussed and teases upcoming topics, including further analysis of the Los Angeles situation and insights from Senator Angela Alsobrooks.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
-
Lawrence O'Donnell:
- "[01:10] “The House of Representatives has won the New Jersey Democratic primary for governor. That is nominee Mikey Sherrill right there.”
- "[03:45] “Republicans still do not have the votes in the United States Senate to pass the Trump Republican budget bill...”
- "[08:45] “Donald Trump cannot possibly round up the tens of thousands of people a day who he promised his voters he would be deporting every single day.”
- "[42:52] “...but these vaccines are literally going to cost people their lives.”
-
Gavin Newsom:
- "[33:39] “And by the way, Trump, he's not opposed to lawlessness and violence as long as it serves him.”
-
Harry Dunn:
- "[24:39] “I've seen videos of them being people being trampled by horses or beat by police officers and peacefully protesting.”
-
Eric Swalwell:
- "[37:06] “It's an insult to their training, to their experience, to their service.”
-
Angela Alsobrooks:
- "[43:33] “Mr. Kennedy, with all due respect, that is so dangerous. That is so dangerous.”
Conclusion
In this episode, Lawrence O'Donnell provides a comprehensive analysis of the current political climate, focusing on the aftermath of January 6th, the misuse of federal troops by Donald Trump, critical election outcomes, and the controversial actions of Robert Kennedy Jr. in the health sector. Through interviews with key figures like Sam Sanders, Harry Dunn, Eric Swalwell, and Angela Alsobrooks, the discussion underscores the ongoing challenges and controversies shaping the United States political landscape.