On Tuesday, Speaker Mike Johnson publicly aligned himself with President Donald Trump regarding the ongoing protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Los Angeles. Johnson stated that Trump is justified in sending the National Guard and Marines to manage the situation, emphasizing the president's right to maintain order during these turbulent times.
During a news conference, Johnson criticized California Governor Gavin Newsom, implying that he should be “tarred and feathered” for his handling of the protests. Johnson asserted that Trump is acting within his authority by deploying approximately 4,000 National Guardsmen and 700 Marines to Los Angeles as demonstrators clash with law enforcement. “President Trump has put his hand on the table and said 'Not on my watch,' and we applaud that,” Johnson declared.
When pressed about Trump’s suggestion that Newsom should be arrested, Johnson refrained from offering a legal opinion but reiterated his stance on Newsom's inadequacies as governor. “Look, that's not my lane. I'm not going to give you legal analysis on whether Gavin Newsom should be arrested, but he ought to be tarred and feathered,” he said.
In response, Governor Newsom took to social media platform X, remarking, “Good to know we're skipping the arrest and going straight for the 1700's style forms of punishment.” He criticized the Republican Party for wanting to revert the country back to outdated governance. Newsom also condemned Trump's comments about arresting him as a clear indication of a move towards authoritarianism.
Johnson accused Newsom of prioritizing personal branding over the safety of California citizens, urging him to “do your job.” He criticized the governor for not adequately defending the rule of law, stating, “Stop working on your rebranding and be a governor. Stand up for the rule of law.”
Amidst the chaos, Johnson took the opportunity to promote the House-passed tax and immigration bill, which is currently under negotiation in the Senate. He argued that the immigration issues fueling the Los Angeles protests could be addressed through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which aligns with Trump's legislative agenda. Johnson called on Democrats to put an end to the “chaos and nonsense” and support the bill.
This legislation proposes increased funding for the military and border security while extending the Trump 2017 tax cuts. However, it could also contribute an estimated $3 trillion to the deficit over the next decade, according to an analysis from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.
Other congressional Republicans have rallied behind Trump’s decision to deploy the National Guard and Marines to Los Angeles. Republican Rep. Ralph Norman stated, “What Trump’s doing is enforcing the rule of law,” affirming that Trump is taking the right steps. Similarly, Republican Rep. Ron Estes expressed his support, emphasizing the importance of maintaining order in the United States.
Republican Sen. Kevin Cramer also backed Trump's deployment, hoping that the military presence would deter violence and restore peace. “Hopefully their presence will be a deterrent to violence,” he said, acknowledging the right to assemble but differentiating between peaceful protest and the current unrest.
Senator Cramer highlighted that Trump, as the president, has a duty to respond to the protests due to his authority over federal immigration policy. “The president has a responsibility to the United States,” he stated. Echoing this sentiment, Senator John Kennedy remarked on his belief that Trump had no choice but to deploy federal troops, criticizing both the governor and the mayor for their inaction during the protests.
Furthermore, Republican Sen. John Cornyn jested that Newsom might welcome the idea of being arrested, as it could elevate him to the status of a hero and martyr among his supporters.
