Northwoods Reporter

Matthew Rust, Chairman of St. Croix County Republicans, said that President Trump was justified in restoring order amid the violent migrant riots that erupted in Los Angeles over the weekend. Rust made his statement to Northwoods Reporter.

"President Trump has every right to deploy the National Guard to Los Angeles as violence and destruction were allowed to spiral out of control; rioters weren't voicing concerns — they were attacking law enforcement, shutting down freeways, and destroying property," said Rust. "Local Democrat leaders and Governor Gavin Newsom stood by and did nothing while chaos overtook the streets. We witnessed the same pattern of lawless destruction in Minneapolis during the George Floyd riots and the same lack of response from local Democrat leaders and Governor Walz. This failure of Democrat leadership required federal intervention to reestablish peace and protect innocent lives."

According to The New York Post, June protests in Los Angeles escalated into violent riots in response to President Trump's immigration crackdown. Demonstrators blocked the 101 Freeway, clashed with law enforcement, and set fire to several self-driving cars. Police deployed tear gas, rubber bullets, and flashbangs to disperse crowds, resulting in at least 27 arrests but not successfully ending the riots altogether. In response, President Trump deployed 2,000 National Guard troops to the city, marking the first such federal military deployment in California since 1965. Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the move and announced plans to sue the administration.

In a June 8 post on Truth Social, President Donald Trump said that these "lawless riots only strengthen our resolve." He directed Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and Attorney General Pam Bondi to take all necessary actions to "liberate Los Angeles from the Migrant Invasion" and restore order.

Fox News reported that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) urged Democrats to tone down anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) rhetoric as violent protests continued in Los Angeles and threats against agents increased. DHS criticized officials including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, and L.A. Mayor Karen Bass for vilifying ICE and fueling attacks. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin called recent assaults "despicable," citing a 413% spike in attacks on agents. She accused sanctuary city leaders of encouraging violence such as the protests centered around ICE’s presence and operations in Los Angeles.

Rust is Chairman of the Republican Party of St. Croix County and was first elected to this role in 2023. According to the organization's website, he is focused on boosting Republican voter turnout, growing party membership, and communicating party positions on issues important to St. Croix County voters.