Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell has strongly refuted President Trump’s claims about the LAPD welcoming National Guard troops into the city amid ongoing demonstrations against ICE enforcement raids.
According to MSNBC, the controversy began when the Trump administration suggested deploying federal military forces to Los Angeles, portraying the city’s demonstrations as chaotic events requiring military intervention. On Monday, McDonnell issued a statement expressing concerns about such deployment, echoing the sentiment of state officials like Governor Newsom, noting that it could create significant logistical and operational challenges for local law enforcement.
In response to CNN host Kaitlin Collins’s question about Trump’s characterization of his statements, McDonnell firmly stated, “No. We were not in a position to request the National Guard.” He emphasized that local law enforcement has sufficient resources to handle any potential escalation of the demonstrations.
Trump’s conflicting claims about the LAPD’s stance on military intervention
During a performance of “Les Misérables” at the Kennedy Center on Wednesday, President Trump made claims that contradicted the LAPD’s position. He suggested that without the National Guard and Marines, Los Angeles “would probably have a city that was burning to the ground.” Trump also alleged that the police chief had expressed gratitude for federal intervention, claiming McDonnell had said, “We’re very lucky to have had them.”
McDonnell’s response highlighted the disconnect between Trump’s statements and reality. The police chief outlined the extensive resources available to local law enforcement for managing demonstrations and emphasized that the protests have not reached a level requiring military intervention. He expressed optimism about the situation, stating that things were moving in a positive direction and that National Guard intervention would not be necessary.
The LAPD chief emphasized his department’s extensive experience in handling large-scale public demonstrations. McDonnell pointed out that the LAPD, along with its mutual aid partners, has decades of experience managing such events professionally and effectively.
The dispute highlights a broader pattern in the Trump administration’s approach to protest response, including moments when Trump claimed legal powers he previously admitted he didn’t have, with critics noting the administration’s tendency to portray peaceful demonstrations as more chaotic than they actually are. Reports indicate that the Los Angeles protests have remained largely peaceful and confined to just a few blocks in the city, contrary to the administration’s characterization of widespread chaos requiring military intervention.
