Trump is lying about Los Angeles
As Jewish Democrats, we are advocating for the defense of democracy, the pursuit of justice, and the rule of law. The fascist tactics Donald Trump is employing in Los Angeles are antithetical to these values.
Trump’s deployment of the National Guard in Los Angeles against the will of California Governor Gavin Newsom is unwarranted and dangerous. It’s a tactic we’ve seen used by autocrats and strongmen throughout history: escalate the situation, then use the fear and confusion to justify violent authoritarian expansions of power.
Let’s cut through Trump’s lies: There is no insurrection in Los Angeles. There have been largely peaceful protests with isolated incidents of disruption, mostly stemming from Trump’s escalations. Local and state officials, law enforcement, and community leaders are actively working to de-escalate the situation.
What Trump is doing is a deliberate distortion meant to generate fear, escalate the situation, and justify repressive actions. Declaring an “insurrection” where there is none is not only dishonest – it’s profoundly dangerous to our democracy and is a direct attempt to diminish the actual insurrection he led on January 6, 2021. Remember – when asked repeatedly on January 6, Donald Trump refused to deploy the National Guard to stop the violent rioters at the Capitol.
This moment demands clarity: Violence is never justified, the military should not be deployed domestically for use against Americans, and we must keep our focus on protecting our constitutional rights. Trump is attempting to provoke confrontation, to shift the narrative away from the legitimate grievances of demonstrators, and toward a false justification for invoking the Insurrection Act or even martial law.
We’ve seen these authoritarian tactics used before by leaders seeking to strengthen and consolidate power. We must learn from the darkest moments of history and ensure they do not happen again.
As Jewish Americans, we know what it means to stand up against authoritarianism. We understand the cost of silence. Now is the time to speak out, to mobilize, and to defend democracy.
JDCA is committed to holding Trump and his enablers accountable, but we need your help. Follow JDCA on social media and share our messages opposing Trump and his authoritarian agenda with your family and friends to ensure they know the truth about Trump’s attempts to consolidate power and desecrate our democracy. You can follow and share our message on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Bluesky.
Stay engaged with JDCA to help ensure that our shared values of justice, freedom, and democracy prevail. We’re grateful to stand with you against authoritarianism and in defense of democracy.
In solidarity,
Sam Crystal
Chief of Staff, Jewish Democratic Council of America