The Trump administration is currently conducting an investigation to determine if there is a financial sponsor behind the recent anti-immigration enforcement protests occurring in Los Angeles. Officials have suggested that this potential backer could be a foreign adversary. During a recent interview on NPR's Morning Edition, Tricia McLaughlin, the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at the Department of Homeland Security, defended the administration's decision to deploy military troops to Los Angeles and confirmed that both the FBI and IRS are probing the origins of the unrest.
McLaughlin remarked, "There's some activity on the ground that seems highly coordinated, and there might be a financial backer that could even be a foreign adversary." This statement highlights the administration's concern over potential external influences on domestic protests.
On the same day, President Trump made controversial claims about California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, suggesting they may have financially supported the protesters. However, he later retracted his statement, clarifying, "No, I don't say the governor and the mayor -- I said, somebody's paying them -- I think." He further added, "If they're not, they're just troublemakers." Such assertions have fueled public discourse surrounding the motivations behind the protests.
In her conversation with NPR host Steve Inskeep, McLaughlin also addressed how the National Guard is being utilized to restore order. "A lot of different ways," she explained, pointing out that their roles include crowd control and the protection of federal buildings. Recent protests have seen overwhelming numbers of demonstrators, with approximately 1,000 protesters surrounding ICE enforcement officers on one occasion, and about 6,000 on another.
When asked about specific capabilities that the National Guard possesses, McLaughlin emphasized the need for "more boots on the ground" to ensure the safety of law enforcement and federal properties, asserting that the current leadership of Newsom and Bass has not maintained order.
Inskeep raised concerns regarding the role of the military in urban settings, especially in light of Secretary Pete Hegseth's focus on combat readiness and lethality. McLaughlin defended the deployment, stating, "At the end of the day, Americans want peace... If Governor Newsom and Mayor Bass are not going to call down the rioters who are assaulting our law enforcement, then we do need to bring in the military." This statement underscores the administration's view that military intervention is necessary for maintaining peace and safety.
In discussing the nature of the protests, Inskeep questioned whether the protests could be classified as a rebellion, to which McLaughlin responded, "I think that there are major questions right now about who is financially backing these protests." She reiterated that the IRS and FBI are investigating these claims, suggesting that financial records may reveal connections to foreign entities.
The involvement of the IRS in this investigation has raised eyebrows, with Inskeep inquiring about the potential for tax records to shed light on the funding. McLaughlin affirmed the link, citing the IRS's role in financial investigations.
During the interview, McLaughlin also addressed deportation figures, stating there have been approximately 150,000 deportations in the last 125 days, which translates to around 30,000 to 40,000 deportations monthly. This figure suggests an increase in enforcement efforts compared to earlier in the Biden administration, although it remains lower than historical averages under previous administrations.
Inskeep noted that while the current rate of deportations is higher than under Biden, it still lags behind the averages set by Trump and Obama. McLaughlin attributed these challenges to numerous judicial injunctions and resource limitations faced by immigration enforcement agencies.
In response to inquiries about the legal constraints faced by the administration, McLaughlin insisted that the current situation is unprecedented, citing what she called "the most injunctions in American history under a single president." This claim reflects the administration's frustration with the judicial system and its perceived bias against immigration enforcement.
Inskeep countered, suggesting that the same judicial framework existed during previous administrations. McLaughlin argued that there is a noticeable difference in the attitude and ambition of judges in the current political climate, pointing to specific cases to emphasize her viewpoint.
As the investigation continues into the financial backing of the protests, the Trump administration remains steadfast in its commitment to restore order in Los Angeles. With military resources deployed and inquiries into potential foreign influences underway, the current situation highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding immigration enforcement and public dissent in the United States.
