Kristi Noem Calls Out LA as ‘City of Criminals’ in the Face of Ongoing Protests

In an impassioned interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem condemned the leadership of Los Angeles, calling it a “city of criminals” due to the ongoing protests and lawlessness.

Her remarks were pointedly directed at both California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, accusing them of failing to address the criminal elements in the city.

Noem’s comments reflect a growing sense of frustration with California’s handling of the protests and the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement operations.

As violent protests continued to plague Los Angeles in response to President Trump’s immigration raids, Noem did not hesitate to call out local leadership for its inaction.

“Today, we had over 400 to 500 targets we were going after that were known members of gangs in LA that have been victimizing people for years, that Gavin Newsom has done absolutely nothing about, that Mayor Bass has done absolutely nothing about,” Noem said, clearly frustrated with the inability of local authorities to act.

Her statements were a direct rebuke of the current leadership in California, whom she accused of allowing criminal activity to flourish unchecked.

Noem’s criticism of Mayor Bass was especially harsh, as the mayor has made public statements about the protesters’ right to peacefully demonstrate, emphasizing that Los Angeles is a city of immigrants.

Noem, however, argued that the rhetoric coming from Bass and Newsom was deeply misguided. “And now she’s [Bass] holding press conferences, talking about the fact that people have the right to peacefully protest and that they’re a city of immigrants,” Noem said.

“Well, they’re not a city of immigrants, they’re a city of criminals, because she has protected them for so many years.”

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) secretary’s remarks come as President Trump has authorized the deployment of additional National Guard troops to Los Angeles to quell the protests, bringing the total to 4,000 troops.

These deployments were necessary, according to Trump and his allies, in order to combat the rising violence and protect law enforcement officers from being assaulted by demonstrators.

The protests, which began as a response to Trump’s ramped-up Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, have led to clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement, with protesters engaging in violent acts such as blocking highways, looting, and setting cars on fire.

Noem's assertion that Los Angeles has become a “city of criminals” is not only a harsh critique of the current state of law and order but also a pointed criticism of California’s refusal to fully cooperate with federal law enforcement efforts.

Despite the widespread violence, Newsom and other local leaders have criticized the federal intervention, arguing that the National Guard’s deployment was an overreach and a violation of state sovereignty.

Newsom, in particular, filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, claiming that the use of federal troops was an “unprecedented power grab.”

Noem’s remarks made it clear that she does not share Newsom’s perspective. “We’re coming in and doing what the president has said that he’s going to do and he’s going to allow people to live in a safe community again,” Noem stated firmly.

“We’re going to use the authority that he has as president of the United States to conduct these operations.” For Noem, the federal government’s intervention was not just necessary but crucial to restoring safety to a city that had descended into chaos under local leadership.

Trump’s decision to deploy the National Guard and U.S. Marines to Los Angeles has been framed by his supporters as a necessary response to a breakdown in law and order.

The National Guard’s primary responsibility in this context is to assist local law enforcement in maintaining public safety and preventing further violence.

By bringing in additional federal resources, Trump aims to ensure that protesters who are engaged in criminal activity are met with the full force of the law.

For many Americans, Trump’s decision to take decisive action is seen as a sign of strength and resolve in the face of opposition from Democratic leaders who have failed to take strong action against the violence and unrest in their own cities.

Noem’s remarks about how the Trump administration would respond to violent protesters were unambiguous: “The more that people use violence against law enforcement, Boy, we’re gonna hit them back and we’re gonna hit them back harder than we ever have before.”

This aggressive stance against violent protesters underscores the administration’s zero-tolerance policy for criminal behavior, especially when it targets law enforcement officers.

Noem made it clear that the Trump administration would not stand idly by while violent mobs terrorize American cities. Instead, they would use every available resource to ensure that those who engage in violent acts would face the full consequences of their actions.

This rhetoric, while polarizing, is resonating with many Americans who are frustrated with the political gridlock and inaction at the state and local levels.

In many cities, including Los Angeles, local leaders have either been unwilling or unable to maintain law and order in the face of rising protests and criminal activity.

By contrast, Trump and Noem’s commitment to restoring order through federal intervention is seen as a necessary and overdue response to the growing unrest.

The controversy surrounding the deployment of federal troops also highlights the broader ideological divide between the Trump administration and Democratic leaders, especially those in California.

While Newsom and Bass continue to advocate for a more lenient approach to the protests, including allowing demonstrations to continue unchecked, Trump and Noem are calling for a more aggressive response.

The Trump administration views the ongoing protests as a direct challenge to the rule of law and a threat to public safety, whereas Newsom and Bass are positioning themselves as defenders of free speech and democratic rights.

Noem’s comments are indicative of the Trump administration’s broader approach to governance, which prioritizes law and order over political correctness and appeasement.

In Trump’s view, the protection of American citizens and the preservation of public safety should always come before political ideologies or partisan interests.

For many Republicans, this position is a necessary counterbalance to the progressive policies that have allowed criminal activity to flourish in some of the nation’s largest cities.

The situation in Los Angeles also serves as a microcosm of the larger debate about the role of federal power in managing domestic unrest. While Trump and Noem are advocating for a strong federal response, other Democratic leaders, including Newsom, are pushing back against what they perceive as federal overreach.

This clash between state and federal power is likely to intensify in the coming months as the protests continue and the Trump administration pushes forward with its tough stance on immigration enforcement.

For Trump and Noem, the ongoing protests in Los Angeles represent a critical moment in the fight to restore law and order to American cities.

By deploying the National Guard and U.S. Marines, they are sending a clear message that the federal government will not stand idly by while violent protests disrupt communities and put citizens at risk.

Their actions are a stark contrast to the inaction of Democratic leaders who have been unable to control the violence and ensure public safety in their own cities.

In conclusion, Kristi Noem’s recent remarks about Los Angeles being a “city of criminals” reflect a growing frustration with the leadership failures of Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass in the face of violent protests.

Noem’s condemnation of their inaction and her support for President Trump’s decision to deploy the National Guard is emblematic of the Trump administration’s commitment to restoring law and order at the federal level.

As the situation in Los Angeles continues to unfold, it is clear that Trump and Noem’s approach to managing the protests through strong federal intervention is gaining support among many Americans who believe that local leaders have failed to protect their communities.

The continued pushback against Newsom’s policies and the deployment of federal troops highlight the ideological divide between the Trump administration and Democratic leaders, with Trump’s law-and-order agenda remaining a central theme of his presidency.