Tuberville says that if California Governor Gavin Newsom had done his job the National Guard would not have been needed to step in to address the rioters in Los Angeles

June 9, 2025 – WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama) criticized California Governor Gavin Newsom for his inaction in addressing the Los Angeles riots. Tuberville accused Newsom of "defending terrorists."

"Maybe if you did your job and put an end to the riots and chaos in LA, the National Guard wouldn't have needed to step in," Sen. Tuberville said on his X social media account. "But you're more focused on defending terrorists than protecting AMERICAN CITIZENS."

Tuberville's comment was in response to a X post by Governor Newsom.

"The President of the United States just called for the arrest of a sitting Governor," Newsom said. "This is a day I hoped I would never see in America."

"Democrats have become the party of destruction and lawlessness," Tuberville said. "Terrorism and anarchy WILL NOT BE TOLERATED under President Trump. Those wishing to harm our country and our citizens have NO PLACE here."

The riots in L.A. were triggered by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted large-scale raids in the area on June 6. Thousands have take to the streets in opposition. Bottles and Molotov cocktails have reportedly been thrown by the protestors at police attempting to restore order.

After Newsom did nothing, President Donald J. Trump (R) called in the National Guard to get control of the situation.

There are reports that the protestors are spitting on Guardsmen. President Trump warned that force will be used in response.

"If they spit, we will hit." This is a statement from the President of the United States concerning the catastrophic Gavin Newscum inspired Riots going on in Los Angeles," President Trump said on his Truth Social account on Monday afternoon. "The Insurrectionists have a tendency to spit in the face of the National Guardsmen/women, and others. These Patriots are told to accept this, it's just the way life runs. But not in the Trump Administration. IF THEY SPIT, WE WILL HIT, and I promise you they will be hit harder than they have ever been hit before. Such disrespect will not be tolerated!"

Trump said that the decision to send in the National Guard was the right move.

"We made a great decision in sending the National Guard to deal with the violent, instigated riots in California," President Trump said on Truth Social. "If we had not done so, Los Angeles would have been completely obliterated. The very incompetent "Governor," Gavin Newscum, and "Mayor," Karen Bass, should be saying, "THANK YOU, PRESIDENT TRUMP, YOU ARE SO WONDERFUL. WE WOULD BE NOTHING WITHOUT YOU, SIR." Instead, they choose to lie to the People of California and America by saying that we weren't needed, and that these are "peaceful protests." Just one look at the pictures and videos of the Violence and Destruction tells you all you have to know. We will always do what is needed to keep our Citizens SAFE, so we can, together, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"

On June 6, 2025, ICE agents carried out workplace raids, particularly targeting businesses in Los Angeles' Fashion District. The enforcement actions led to widespread demonstrations, with protesters blocking major roads and confronting law enforcement officers.

By June 8, protests had intensified, leading to violent clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement. Protesters set automobiles on fire, threw objects at officers, and blocked freeways. In response, President Donald Trump deployed 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles, a move that California Governor Gavin Newsom opposed, calling it a "serious breach of state sovereignty".

The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) declared an unlawful assembly, authorizing the use of tear gas, rubber bullets, and flash-bangs to disperse crowds. Over 39 arrests have been made so far, with reports of injuries among both protesters and officers.

L.A. Mayor Karen Bass criticized the deployment of the Guard troops. She claims that it has "inflamed tensions" rather than restored order. Meanwhile, ICE enforcement operations are expected to continue for the next 30 days in Los Angeles County.

There are protests continuing across multiple locations, including downtown Los Angeles, Westlake District, and Paramount. Authorities are monitoring developments closely as tensions persist.

Tuberville is a 2026 Republican candidate for Governor of Alabama.

(A.I. contributed to this report.)