Americanswers... on 5 Live! Why has Donald Trump sent the National Guard to protests in LA?

Americast

BBC

Politics, Government, News

4.2 • 2.8K Ratings

🗓️ 9 June 2025

⏱️ 25 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Donald Trump has defended his decision to deploy the National Guard to Los Angeles despite criticism from Democrats and California officials. The US president says LA would have been "completely obliterated" otherwise and hits out at Democrat California Governor Gavin Newsom, who says he's suing the Trump administration. Trump deployed 2,000 National Guard troops to the city to stop protests against immigration raids being carried out across Los Angeles, triggering a political row. Newsom, along with LA mayor Karen Bass, believed local police could handle the protests. Justin and Anthony join Matt Chorley on 5 Live to answer your questions which range from how and why the National Guard was deployed, to whether this is a fight the President has been spoiling for, given his pledge to deport record numbers of immigrants?

HOSTS: • Matt Chorley, 5 Live Presenter • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Anthony Zurcher, North America Correspondent

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This episode was made by Purvee Pattni, Alix Pickles, Tom Gillett and Adriana Urbano. The technical producer was James Piper. The series producer is Purvee Pattni. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	BBC Sounds, Music, Radio, podcasts.
0:04.8	Hello, it's Justin here.
0:05.8	One big theme for today's episode.
0:07.4	We answer your questions, mostly about what's going on in Los Angeles, where there have
0:12.6	been riots, if you believe what the White House is saying, some protests, if you believe
0:18.1	what the Democrats are saying.
0:19.7	So, what is going on? What is behind
0:22.2	Donald Trump deploying the National Guard? Is that an overreaction? Or is it politics? Politics
0:28.1	being played against California's Democratic Governor. Anthony and I have just come off the air
0:33.5	with Matt Shawloan 5 Live. Welcome to America Answers.
0:39.1	Ameriast.
0:40.0	AmeriCast from BBC News.
0:42.3	You're gambling with the lives of millions of people.
0:45.1	You're gambling with World War III.
0:47.3	President Trump's message is very simple.
0:49.3	We are done being taken advantage of.
0:51.2	Mr. President, in the name of our God, have mercy upon the people.
0:55.5	We're scared now.
0:56.7	Are you supportive of these onesies?
0:58.7	I'm supportive of vaccines.
1:00.3	What is happening?
1:01.4	Like, this is not America.
	...

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