Noem Credits Trump Troop Deployment for Saving Los Angeles Amid Protests

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem credited President Donald Trump with saving Los Angeles by deploying the National Guard and federal law enforcement to quell anti-ICE protests and unrest in June, asserting that the city "wouldn’t be standing" without his intervention. Noem criticized California Gov. Gavin Newsom and LA Mayor Karen Bass for being incompetent in handling the situation, claiming that Trump’s actions protected homes and businesses from violence and rioting. Her comments drew sharp rebuke and mockery from Newsom’s office, which highlighted ongoing legal challenges to the federal troop deployment, with Newsom suing the administration over the intervention. Trump has since threatened similar deployments of the National Guard to other cities such as Chicago and New York, prompting resistance from local officials including Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, who view such actions as unnecessary and inflammatory. Noem dismissed these concerns, accusing local leaders of prioritizing political egos over public safety and praised Trump’s efforts to enforce law and order. The situation underscores the ongoing tension between the federal government and Democrat-led cities over the use of federal forces in response to civil unrest and crime.