Rep. Hank Johnson (D) has slammed the Trump administration for its response to the LA riots, and for indicting Rep. LaMonica McIver (D) for interfering with federal officers.
Rep. Johnson accused President Donald Trump of purposefully escalating the situation in Los Angeles. In an official statement, he claims that state and local law enforcement had begun to defuse the tension.
Johnson is under the impression that the deployment of the National Guard caused the escalation in violence. He compared it to how the Chinese Communist Party handled the pro-democracy demonstrations in Hong Kong.
Johnson commented, “I stand with my brothers and sisters who are peacefully protesting not only the cruelty of Donald Trump’s immigration crackdowns but the dictatorship he so desperately is trying to create, and I urge all those engaging in protest and demonstrations to remain non-violent.”
On the other hand, Gov. Gavin Newsom has come under fire for his lackluster response to the riots. President Trump floated the idea of arresting Newsom for his inaction.
Alongside this, the Department of Justice has moved to indict Rep. McIver for assault and interfering with federal officials. McIver was protesting outside an ICE detention center with other lawmakers.
The demonstration escalated, and McIver can be seen on video making physical contact with an officer. Johnson has defended her, claiming that she was just doing her job.
Johnson commented, “A day after threatening to arrest California Governor Newsom for doing his job, Trump’s MAGA Department of Injustice has indicted Congresswoman LaMonica McIver for doing hers.”
Johnson’s messaging on this issue has been to frame the Trump administration as authoritarian. He concluded, “All good thinking people must rise up to turn back this MAGA movement toward dictatorship!”
Both McIver and Newsom have interfered with the Trump administration’s efforts to enforce immigration policy. Yet, Johnson is fully committed to defending them.
