#TrumpCheck - The Lies About the I.C.E Crackdowns

Dear Alaina,

We would like to say 'happy Thursday,' but just 'Thursday' it is, as our local community is still under a cruel and unfair attack by the Trump administration. Welcome back to our #TrumpCheck series, the LACDP's weekly newsletter that holds the Trump administration accountable for its lies, deception, self-serving actions, and crimes. 

Let's start with a brief update of the last few days; on Friday, June 6th, ICE rolled out massive raids starting in Westlake, just north of Downtown LA. By 3 P.M., anti-ICE protestors had established themselves in front of a Fashion District warehouse where ICE was conducting another raid on apparel workers leaving their jobs. SEIU-CA President David Huerta was 'brutalized' by ICE agents and arrested, and his detention expanded the protests, which were already demanding that the detained immigrants and David be released. 

Protests continued throughout the weekend, culminating in a rally in Gloria Molina Grand Park on Monday. A group of rioters looted an Apple Store on Monday night, and another group set at least five self-driving cars on fire. Trump deployed the National Guard on Saturday against Governor Gavin Newsom's wishes. Tensions have been high between the two elected leaders since.

With that background, let's go into the lies that the Trump administration has been spreading about the protests and military occupation of Los Angeles. 

• An X post from the White House account on Tuesday claims that the Trump administration followed "every rule" when it came to deploying the National Guard. Trump is quoted as saying, "I waited for governors to say, 'Send in the National Guard'. They wouldn't do it ... I said to myself, if that stuff happens again, we've got to make faster decisions."

FACT: A statement from the office of Governor Newsom explains that "The law the President cited to take over a state guard requires the Governor’s approval." This makes Trump's solo activation of the military illegal, but he seems to already know that. Trump himself said in 2020 that "We can't call in the National Guard unless we are requested by a governor." 

• Senator Ted Cruz of Texas and right-wing radio conspiracy theorist Alex Jones have each shared footage of destruction in Los Angeles, including burning police cars. In an act of literary brilliance, Ted Cruz commented, "This…is…not…peaceful."

FACT: None of the footage that either Cruz or Jones posted are from current protests in Los Angeles. It appears that they both reposted videos from 2020 Black Lives Matter protests. AI and deepfake videos are also being widely circulated online, and online discussions equating this week's protests to the 1992 Rodney King riots are not accurate; "Unlike the 1992 riots, protests have mainly been peaceful and been confined to a roughly five-block stretch of downtown LA, a tiny patch in the sprawling city of nearly 4 million people. No one has died. There's been vandalism and some cars set on fire but no homes or buildings have burned," said ABC News.

 

And one other truth....

• At 12:40 AM on June 6th, in the early morning hours, Elon Musk posted in a now-deleted X message that "@realDonaldTrump is in the Epstein files. That is the real reason they have not been made public."

FACT: By 11 AM that same day, ICE raids had begun in Westlake.  While reporting on the protests and ICE raids, political commentator Jon Stewart said on Monday's The Daily Show, "The unrest in LA is a predictable outcome...what's it meant to distract from?"

Epstein and Trump have a well-documented history together, with Epstein quoted as saying 'I was Donald Trump's closest friend' before his 2019 death. 

Regardless of the racist or political motives behind the ICE raids and militaristic presence in LA, the attacks on our friends and neighbors are disheartening and frightening. Whether you are on the streets protesting peacefully, donating to a mutual aid fund for detainees, reporting an ICE sighting, circulating 'Know Your Rights' information, or simply checking in on your neighbors, it takes all of us to fight Trump's authoritarian attack on our home.

The first step in fighting back against the Trump administration is setting the record straight; correcting misinformation is a job for us all. If you had this email forwarded to you, you can sign up for the #TrumpCheck newsletter here. 

Stay safe, stay strong, and keep up the good fight, Democrats. 

We'll be back at defending the truth next week. Until then, stay tuned to our social media channels, linked below, for updates on the LACDP's fight against Trump.

In Solidarity,  

Team LACDP

LACDP Chair's Statement Following the Forcible Removal of Senator Alex Padilla

June 12, 2025

 

Contact: Andres Molina

Email: [email protected]

 

LACDP Chair Mark Ramos' statement following the forcible removal of Senator Alex Padilla from Secretary Noem's Press Conference

LOS ANGELES COUNTY --

Los Angeles County Democratic Party (LACDP) Chair Mark Ramos has released the following statement in response to the forcible removal of Senator Alex Padilla from Secretary Noem's Press Conference:

"Today's shocking act of aggression against Senator Alex Padilla is more than just an attack on one individual — it’s an attack on our democracy and the values we hold dear.

It was not only demeaning and unacceptable, but a clear attempt to silence dissent and intimidate those who speak out.

Let me be clear: we will not be silenced. Not for Senator Padilla, and not for the millions of immigrant families he stands with every day.

These authoritarian tactics will not scare us. This assault will not stop us.

It will only make us more determined. An injury to one is an injury to all, and I stand with my brother Alex Padilla today and always."

LACDP Chair Mark Ramos' statement following deployment of the National Guard into Los Angeles County

June 7, 2025

 

Contact: Andres Molina

Email: [email protected]

 

LACDP Chair Mark Ramos' statement following deployment of the National Guard into Los Angeles County

LOS ANGELES COUNTY --

Los Angeles County Democratic Party (LACDP) Chair Mark Ramos has released the following statement in response to deployment of the National Guard in Los Angeles County:

"Once again, our communities are under attack. 

This unnecessary provocation and escalation of enforcement will only intensify fear and tension in our communities. 

Turning military-grade vehicles and equipment against our citizens will only escalate tensions that the Trump administration created in the first place.

Violence is never the answer, on either side of the fight. We will continue to peacefully protest and stand with our labor brothers and sisters until David Huerta, and the rest of our neighbors, are free.

We see through this blatant attempt to frighten us into submission, and we will not give up. 

An injury to one is an injury to all. "