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."
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
