This weekend, the streets of Los Angeles looked more like a war zone than one of America’s largest cities. Protesters waving foreign flags hurled rocks and firebombs at law enforcement, ICE agents were attacked, federal buildings defaced, and police vehicles torched. This wasn’t peaceful protest. This was organized insurrection—and for days, California leaders did nothing.
Then came President Donald J. Trump.
In a Truth Social post that set the tone for decisive federal action, President Trump declared what every law-abiding American was thinking: “If Governor Gavin Newscum and Mayor Karen Bass won’t act, then the Federal Government will step in and solve the problem, RIOTS & LOOTERS, the way it should be solved!!!”
And he meant it. Within hours, thousands of National Guard troops were deployed—federalized under Title 10 authority—over the loud objections of California’s political class. Governor Gavin Newsom called it “unconstitutional.” Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass claimed it was an “escalation.” But they had already failed to act. They had allowed violent mobs to overtake city streets and target federal officers, all in the name of protecting so-called “immigrant rights.”
What rights? These weren’t peaceful DACA recipients asking for a fair shot at the American Dream. These were rioters, many of them criminal illegal aliens, attacking ICE, waving the flags of foreign nations, and shouting “Death to America.”
The American people—especially in the Hispanic community—see through the lies. We see who is standing for law and order and who is bowing to radical mobs. And we know exactly why this is happening.
This chaos is the inevitable outcome of Biden-Harris policies. For years, they coddled sanctuary cities, undermined ICE, and promoted open borders. They allowed radical prosecutors, bankrolled by George Soros, to go soft on crime. They told the world that crossing our borders illegally would be met with free healthcare, legal protections, and no consequences. And now, their Frankenstein has turned on them. Lawlessness is no longer confined to the border—it’s marching through the streets of Los Angeles.
But President Trump is taking back control. And not just for the sake of headlines or political points, but for the sake of families—especially Hispanic families—who have played by the rules, followed the law, and contributed to their communities. What about the millions of Hispanics who came here legally? Who filled out the paperwork, waited years for visas, and earned their citizenship? What about the small business owners whose shops were burned and looted? What about the single mothers who fled socialist regimes in Latin America, only to find their children now trapped behind barricaded doors as anarchists roam the streets?
These are the people Trump is fighting for. While Democrats make excuses for mobs, Trump is protecting the communities those mobs are destroying. He’s supporting ICE agents who are doing the dangerous work of identifying and removing criminal illegal aliens—gang members, traffickers, repeat offenders who have no business being in this country. He’s standing with police officers who have been demonized for doing their jobs. And he’s defending the rule of law when too many on the left would rather negotiate with those setting cities on fire.
Make no mistake, this is about more than just Los Angeles. This is about the soul of the country. Will we continue down the path of borderless chaos, where mobs dictate policy and criminals are elevated to martyrdom? Or will we return to the founding principles that reward hard work, protect the innocent, and punish lawbreakers?
This moment is a test, not just of leadership, but of national character. The left has failed that test. They have shown that they will side with rioters before they stand with law enforcement. They have shown that they care more about illegal aliens who break our laws than Hispanic families who build up our communities.
President Trump has made his choice—and so have we. We choose law and order. We choose safe streets. We choose an immigration system that works for those who follow the rules, not those who exploit them.
Los Angeles is just the latest battleground. But under Trump, it won’t be the last victory. Because when the radical left abandons our cities, our laws, and our people—President Trump steps in to lead.
Jorge Martínez is National Director of Hispanic Outreach for America First Works. He formerly served as press secretary at the U.S. Department of Justice.