June 11, 2025

Permission to republish original opeds and cartoons granted.

California Gov. Newsom Claims ‘Downard Spiral Began’ In LA Riots After President Trump Activated National Guard on June 7, But The Violence Began June 6 

By Robert Romano 

“California is no stranger to immigration enforcement. But instead of focusing on undocumented immigrants with serious criminal records and people with final deportation orders, a strategy both parties have long supported, this administration is pushing mass deportations, indiscriminately targeting hardworking immigrant families, regardless of their roots or risk.” 

That was California Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom in a primetime address to Californians on June 10, blasting President Donald Trump for implementing a deportation program for illegal aliens that will deport whether or not the migrant has a criminal record. The address came as Los Angeles Democratic Mayor Karen Bass had declared an 8 p.m. PST curfew amid continued violence against law enforcement and federal agents that began on June 6 as the Edward R. Roybal federal building was targeted.  

Reporting on the violence, ABC News’ Bill Hutchinson noted the sequence of events from June 6, prior to President Trump’s June 7 federalizing the National Guard in California, as protesters unsuccessfully attempted to obstruct Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations: “Around 3 p.m. local time, a crowd begins gathering in the downtown Fashion District after ICE agents show up at an apparel manufacturing business. Aerial footage taken by ABC News' Los Angeles station, KABC, shows what appears to be ICE agents loading two white passenger vehicles with people in handcuffs. As the vehicles leave the apparel business, protesters try unsuccessfully to stop them, including one individual who was seen lying down in the path of one of the cars.” 

Then, protesters converged on the federal building, leading to violence, “Several hours later, a large group of protesters gathered outside the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse downtown, calling for an end to immigration raids in the city. Video footage shows protesters vandalizing the building, heckling police and throwing bottles and other objects at officers who used shields to protect themselves. Police in riot gear are seen confronting protesters with batons and what appeared to be tear gas launchers. At 10 p.m., the LAPD posts a message on social media, saying ‘an UNLAWFUL ASSEMBLY has been declared for the area’ around the downtown federal building and advises protesters and others to leave the area.” 

Describing the June 6 violence was Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) acting director Todd Lyons in a June 7 statement, writing, “Our brave officers were vastly outnumbered, as over 1,000 rioters surrounded and attacked a federal building. It took over two hours for the Los Angeles Police Department to respond, despite being called multiple times.” 

But to hear Newsom tell the tale, the “downward spiral began” on June 7 after President Trump activated the National Guard, with Newsom stating, “Donald Trump, without consulting California law enforcement leaders, commandeered 2,000 of our state’s National Guard members to deploy on our streets, illegally and for no reason… That’s when the downward spiral began.” 

But it’s just not true. The violence began on June 6 and then spilt into June 7 when rioters began hurling rocks and concrete at federal agents and police, which is what prompted Trump to activate the National Guard. By then, the federal building, federal agents and police had already been attacked. 

Meanwhile, Los Angeles Mayor Bass’ own version of events pivots the blame to the lawful immigration enforcement operations by ICE and the Border Patrol. Appearing on CNN’s “Situation Room” said the trouble began on Friday, June 6: “I just have to say that if you dial back time and go to Friday, if immigration raids had not happened here, we would not have the disorder that went on last night… I will tell you that it is peaceful now, but we do not know where and when the next raids will be." 

In other words, damned if you do, damned if you don’t. No matter what, when it comes to riots, it’s Trump’s fault, whether or not he activated the National Guard. Had Trump not activated the Guard, the ICE raids on illegal aliens — who have no right to be here — are blamed. And when President Trump responds to the riots with the Guard to protect federal buildings and personnel endangered by the violent mob, then that’s the reason for the riots.  

Blame the victim much, Governor Newsom? 

Robert Romano is the Executive Director of Americans for Limited Government Foundation.   

To view online: https://dailytorch.com/2025/06/california-gov-newsom-claims-downard-spiral-began-in-la-riots-after-president-trump-activated-national-guard-on-june-7-but-the-violence-began-june-6/  

Poll: Voters Say Deportation Makes Americans Safer And Want Funding For The Border Increased   

By Manzanita Miller   

Curbing illegal immigration, increasing border security, and deporting illegal criminals are important pillars on which President Donald Trump won the popular vote, and border security continues to be one of the president’s greatest strengths according to new public opinion data.  

In the wake of the recent Los Angeles riots during which protestors attempted to obstruct Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from deporting illegals, it is increasingly evident that President Trump’s focus on safety and removing criminals is paramount.   

A growing share of the public now sides with the Trump Administration’s deportation program according to a new CBS News-YouGov survey taken June 4-6, and Americans believe the president’s deportation efforts are making the country safer.   

According to the survey, Americans approve of President Trump’s program to deport illegal aliens by eight points, 54 percent to 46 percent. Although a slim majority of Independents — 51 percent — disapprove of Trump’s deportation plan, 49 percent approve of it. Among Democrats, eighteen percent support Trump’s deportation strategy and among Hispanics, 40 percent support it.      

Americans say they would like to see funding for border and immigration enforcement increased by 28 points — 49 percent to 21 percent — highlighting how important securing the border has become to voters. Independents support increasing border security funding by eighteen points — 43 percent to 25 percent — and Hispanics would like to see funding for the border increased by 22 points — 44 percent to 22 percent.      

On safety, Americans believe President Trump’s deportation strategy is making the country safer. Voters say by a margin of twelve points — 42 percent to 30 percent — that Trump’s deportation program is making Americans safer. Independents say Trump’s deportation strategy is making the country safer by a three-point margin — 35 percent to 32 percent — and 11 percent of Democrats agree though 57 percent disagree. Although a majority of Hispanics say deportation is making the country less safe, 28 percent say deportation is making the country safer.      

When asked if they support Trump’s overarching goals regarding deportation, Americans say they like the goals Trump is looking to accomplish by ten points, 55 percent to 45 percent. This includes just over half of independents — 51 percent — and 17 percent of Democrats. 44 percent of Hispanics also like Trump’s deportation goal, although 56 percent do not like it.     

Americans also say by six points — 53 percent to 47 percent — the president is prioritizing the deportation of dangerous illegal criminals first, a key pillar of his immigration strategy. 46 percent of independents, 24 percent of Democrats and 43 percent of Hispanics say Trump is prioritizing deporting dangerous criminals.  

Radical activists are fighting President Trump’s deportation program in the courts —– and the streets — but the American people back the president’s program to deport illegals, prioritize deportation for dangerous criminals, and bolster border security funding.    

While a broad portion of swing voters and even a growing share of Democrats favor the president’s approach to immigration, Congressional Democrats are seen as highly ineffective at combating Trump’s goals.     

The YouGov survey shows Congressional Democrats are being seen as ineffective not only at forwarding their own legislative priorities, but at stopping President Trump from implementing his own. A plurality of Democrat voters say Congressional Democrats are ineffective at stopping Trump’s agenda, but with a majority of the public behind him on important issues, this is not a bad thing.  

Americans say by 56 points — 78 percent to 22 percent — that Congressional Democrats have proven ineffective at challenging Trump’s policies, and Democrat voters say by 42 points — 71 percent to 29 percent — that Congressional Democrats have been ineffective at combatting Trumps policies.    

Democrats are facing a leadership crisis, and public opinion data repeatedly shows that Americans believe Congressional Democrats display weakness, lack of leadership, and represent the status quo, rather than much needed change.   

Democrats’ haphazard approach to the border crisis under the Biden Administration is an unmistakable example of the party’s lack of leadership, and the border crisis is not something voters will soon forget. The border failure was many years of neglect in the making, and it will take many months, if not years, to correct course and restore peace and order. The border crisis — and Democrats’ response to President Trump’s efforts to restore safety — are likely to play an important role in the midterm election cycle.   

Manzanita Miller is the senior political analyst at Americans for Limited Government Foundation.  

To view online: https://dailytorch.com/2025/06/poll-voters-say-deportation-makes-americans-safer-and-want-funding-for-the-border-increased/  

Inflation Still Slowing At Just 0.1 Percent In May, Belying Tariff Panicans 

June 11, 2025, Fairfax, Va.—Americans for Limited Government Executive Director Robert Romano today issued the following statement on the latest consumer inflation numbers compiled by the Bureau of Labor Statistics:  

“Consumer inflation continued its three-year trend for cooling in the month of May, only growing by 0.1 percent, down from a 0.2 percent increase in April, with more unsurprising drops gasoline and fuel oil considering boosted OPEC and U.S. production, but also a nice drop in piped gas service. New and used cars were also down along with transportation services. And apparel was down. All great news, and all of which belies doom-and-gloomer panicans who promised as early as February that President Trump’s tariff policies would lead to dramatic price increases. So much for that. Instead, inflation continues slowing down, consistent with other economic data indicating a slowdown, including GDP, a steady uptick in unemployment since January 2023 and also consumer credit in outright contraction, demonstrating that U.S. households maxed out their months and years ago, slowing purchases and cooling demand.  

“The best news is personal incomes continue outpacing consumer inflation — the crucial ‘better off’ metric that tipped the 2024 election to the opposition party just like it did in 1976, 1980 and 1992. At the moment, personal incomes are growing 5.5 percent on an annualized basis while consumer inflation is at 2.4 percent.  

“President Trump ran on a promise to boost production and to help get prices under control, and he’s keeping that promise. Besides reducing the money supply — overall flat since April 2022—boosting food and energy production, along with domestic manufacturing, can do much to increase overall supplies, which will continue to put downward pressure on prices and create an even stronger case for lower interest rates. Still more to do, but so far, so good.” 

To view online: https://getliberty.org/2025/06/inflation-still-slowing-at-just-0-1-percent-in-may-belying-tariff-panicans/