The President's Daily Brief

Episode: June 10th, 2025: What the National Guard Can—and Can’t—Do in L.A. & Hamas Chief Found Beneath Gaza Hospital
Host: Mike Baker
Release Date: June 10, 2025

1. National Guard Deployment in Los Angeles

Overview:
Los Angeles has been embroiled in chaos for four consecutive nights due to anti-ICE riots opposing federal immigration enforcement. In response, President Trump issued a presidential memorandum to deploy 2,000 National Guard troops to the city, bypassing Governor Gavin Newsom.

Key Points:

• Presidential Memorandum & Legal Framework:
  Trump invoked Title 10, Section 12406 of the U.S. Code, which authorizes the President to deploy National Guard units in cases of rebellion or when regular forces are insufficient to execute federal laws. Mike Baker explains, “Trump's memorandum federalizing the California National Guard invoked Title 10, Section 12406 of the US Code, which allows the president to call in members of a state's National Guard under several sets of circumstances” (04:30).

• Governor Newsom’s Opposition:
  Governor Newsom declared the deployment unconstitutional, stating, "This is an overreach of executive power" (12:15). He has directed California to sue the Trump administration, challenging the legal basis of the deployment.

• Scope of National Guard Authority:
  Under Title 10, the National Guard can protect federal agents and federal property but cannot engage in ordinary law enforcement, as per the Posse Comitatus Act. "While National Guard troops can't arrest protesters, they can protect federal ICE agents carrying out such arrests" (09:45).

• Potential Legal Escalations:
  There's discussion around the Insurrection Act, which could allow broader military involvement in civilian law enforcement but poses significant legal risks. Legal experts suggest the lawsuit by Newsom is "highly uncertain and will likely take months to resolve" (14:00).

• Current Deployment Status:
  Hundreds of Marines have been mobilized to support the National Guard in a restricted role, focusing on assisting federal agents without directly engaging protesters.

2. Stalled Iran-U.S. Nuclear Negotiations

Overview:
Nuclear negotiations between Tehran and Washington face significant setbacks as Iran rejects the latest U.S. proposal, preparing to present a counteroffer through Omani mediators.

Key Points:

• Iran's Rejection of U.S. Offer:
  Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated the U.S. proposal was "not acceptable" and "not the result of previous rounds of negotiations" (20:10). An Iranian diplomat added that the proposal ignored "core demands" like the lifting of sanctions and clarity on uranium enrichment.

• Iran’s Counterproposal:
  A revised draft is being finalized, described as "reasonable, logical, and balanced" (22:50). This counteroffer aims to address Iran's primary concerns, particularly economic relief and limitations on uranium enrichment.

• International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Criticism:
  The IAEA released a report highlighting Iran's "obfuscation," citing nuclear material at undeclared sites and inadequate cooperation (25:30). Iran dismissed these findings as "politically motivated" and blamed Israel for supplying "forged documents."

• Current Enrichment Levels:
  Iran is enriching uranium to 60% purity, nearing the 90% threshold for weapons-grade material. "Iran is the only non-nuclear weapons state enriching uranium to 60% purity," Baker notes (23:15).

• Future of Negotiations:
  With Iran insisting that enrichment is a "non-negotiable right" and the U.S. maintaining it as a red line, prospects for a new nuclear agreement remain bleak. "Whether future talks can bridge that gap remains to be seen. And by that I mean they won't be bridging that gap" (26:45).

3. Russia’s Record-Breaking Drone and Missile Assault on Ukraine

Overview:
Russia launched its largest aerial attack since the beginning of the war, deploying nearly 500 drones and 20 missiles overnight against Ukraine, signaling an escalation in the conflict.

Key Points:

• Details of the Assault:
  On June 10th, Russia launched 479 drones and 20 missiles, breaking its own previous records (30:00). This marks the third successive record-breaking attack within just over a week.

• Iranian Shahed Drones:
  Russia's reliance on Iranian-manufactured Shahed drones has significantly boosted its aerial campaign capabilities. "The surge in attacks is fueled in part by Russia's deepening reliance on Iranian-made Shahed drones" (31:20).

• Kremlin’s Stance vs. Reality:
  Despite Kremlin officials' public statements on seeking peace, the continuous barrage undermines these claims. "I’m beginning to think that Putin isn't actually interested in peace" (02:00).

• Impact on Ukraine:
  While most of the drones were intercepted, at least 10 struck targets, including sites near Moscow, causing temporary airport shutdowns but no immediate casualties (32:45).

• Ceasefire Talks and Prisoner Exchange:
  Previous peace talks in Istanbul yielded only a tentative agreement for prisoner exchanges, involving around 12,000 individuals. However, ongoing assaults make a meaningful ceasefire elusive. "The repeated record setting barrage of drone strikes suggests that any meaningful ceasefire remains well out of reach for now" (35:10).

4. Hamas Commander Found Beneath Gaza Hospital

Overview:
The Israeli military has confirmed the death of Mohammed Sinwar, a top Hamas commander, whose body was discovered in an underground tunnel beneath a Gaza hospital.

Key Points:

• Discovery of Mohammed Sinwar:
  The IDF confirmed that Sinwar died while hiding in a tunnel beneath a European Union-funded hospital in Khan Yunis. "Hamas using civilians as human shields, using civilian infrastructure hospitals" (45:30).

• Details of the Tunnel Complex:
  The tunnels served as a major command and control hub for Hamas, connecting brigades in Khan Younis with those in Rafah. "In one of them we found we killed Mohammed Sinwar" (48:10).

• Operation Gideon's Chariots:
  Israeli ground troops entered the area last week as part of this operation aimed at rescuing hostages and eliminating Hamas threats. "The purpose of the operation is two pronged to bring back the remaining hostages and to eliminate Hamas" (50:20).

• Recovered Assets:
  Alongside Sinwar's body, the IDF recovered weapons, ammunition, cash, and documents, and identified several other bodies. Critical intelligence regarding hostages was found but remains undisclosed (52:00).

• Ongoing Hostage Situation:
  More than 50 hostages, both alive and deceased, are still held in Gaza, with recent operations aiming to retrieve them. "The latest revelations come after five rounds of negotiations between Iran and the US aimed at reviving a nuclear deal" (54:15).

Conclusion

In this episode of The President's Daily Brief, Mike Baker delves into the complexities of deploying the National Guard in Los Angeles amidst ongoing anti-ICE riots, highlighting the legal boundaries and political tensions involved. The brief also covers the intricate and stalled nuclear negotiations between Iran and the U.S., marked by Iran's firm stance on uranium enrichment and the strained relations exacerbated by IAEA reports. Additionally, the episode highlights Russia's intensified military actions against Ukraine through unprecedented drone and missile attacks, undermining peace efforts. Finally, the discovery of a high-ranking Hamas commander beneath a Gaza hospital underscores the persistent volatility and humanitarian concerns in the region.

Notable Quotes:

• LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell (08:30):
  "The LAPD is overwhelmed; commercial grade fireworks were aimed at officers, noting, 'That can kill you.'"

• Brigadier General Effie Deferin (46:45):
  "This is another example of the cynical use by Hamas using civilians as human shields, using civilian infrastructure hospitals."

• Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson (21:00):
  "The American proposal... was not acceptable and not the result of previous rounds of negotiations."

• Governor Gavin Newsom (13:50):
  "Deploying the National Guard without the governor's consent is unconstitutional."

Timestamps Reference:

To view specific parts of the transcript referenced in this summary, refer to the corresponding timestamps noted in parentheses.

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