Love it: Trump's thoughts on Greta Thunberg
.
Just One Thing: Send in the Marines
President Trump ordered around 700 Marines to Los Angeles, just a couple of days after ordering about 2,000 members of the National Guard to deploy (a number that appears to be increasing). Trump is reacting to scenes of rioting and arson (of vehicles) and people throwing rocks and bottles and other projectiles at federal and local law enforcement. It doesn't help the PR of the rioters that they're waving Mexican flags.
Marines Are Deploying to L.A. Area in Wake of ICE Protests - WSJ
Marines deployed to LA to respond to immigration protests | AP News
Trump likes to exude strength. It's his brand. I won't get into the disturbed psychology behind it. And at least initially this is a political win for Trump because Americans love a good march or protest but hate riots and chaos. It also helps Trump that California politicians have been very slow to speak out, much less do something about, the riots.
Trump has a tendency to sniff out a winning issue (far better than most politicians do) but then overplay his hand in reaction and then have to back down. Witness his correct realization that many or most other nations have more barriers to American goods than America has to those nation's goods, followed by a truly insane announcement of "reciprocal tariffs" as well as tariffs on our friends and allies that make it almost impossible to form a united front against China.
Trump is trying to have his cake and eat it too, so far, with the deployments as the Marines are initially tasked with defending federal property and not with quelling riots. The National Guard may have slightly more contact with protesters and rioters; they had a bit in the first couple of days of deployment but it seems that their mandate is primarily protection of property and people rather than crowd control. In typical Trump style, he's found a way to have many people cheer him (for the appearance of doing something significant regarding the riots) without actually doing something significant, knowing that almost everybody will hear about the National Guard and the Marines being sent to CA but few will hear that, at least for now, they're not doing much.
But here's the risk for Trump: What if a Marine kills someone? Sure, there will be some on the right who say that the dead rioter deserved it. But that will turn a political win into a political loss. Furthermore, stepping away from politics, riots in California are really not a federal responsibility. Sure, protecting federal people and property is, but not general unrest. If the politicians in the Golden State want to let happen to them what happened in Minneapolis or Portland, that's just a reminder that people get the government they deserve.
Chris Rufo, as he does so often, has it right: Trump Should Crush the L.A. Riots—with a Subtle Hand
.
Today's Guests
Austin Waisanen is an attorney at the Pacific Legal Foundation who is suing Denver over zoning fees
Denver’s inclusionary zoning extortion scheme challenged in court
.
Ambassador Francis Rooney is former US Ambassador to the Holy See (the Vatican) and a former member of Congress from Florida. He's a personal friend (or at least fairly close acquaintance) of the new Pope Leo XIV, formerly "Father Bob" Prevost.
More about Amb Rooney: Francis Rooney | Wilson Center
.
.
Other Stuff
Two very different headlines for the same story:
Denver sees historic drop in street homelessness: Mayor Mike Johnston | FOX31
Homelessness rises despite fewer people living on Denver streets - Axios Denver
.
Follow-up from yesterday: Rep Gabe Evans' (R-CO8) resolution that we discussed with him yesterday passed the House of Representatives with a good number, but not a majority, of Democrats voting in favor.
Bill to condemn Boulder attack on pro-Israel activists sees over 100 Dems voting no | Fox News
Text of Evans Resolution: Untitled
A different resolution sponsored by Boulder's representative Joe Neguse passed 400-0
Text of Neguse Resolution: Untitled
.
Crazy story: Doctors Were Preparing to Remove Their Organs. Then They Woke Up. - The New York Times
.
RFK is running wild: RFK Jr. removes all 17 members of vaccine committee for CDC
.
Following up on developing CO lawsuit: Legal pressure mounts against Colorado Gov. Jared Polis over ICE data disclosure - Axios Denver
This is going to come down to whether a court agrees with the governor that the federal request counts as a criminal investigation.
.
Green shoots of energy and climate sanity are peeking through
(30) Chain Reaction - Doomberg
Companies Quietly Water Down Climate Claims in Latest Investor Reports - WSJ
.
Worth the cow pies? Probably... In Boulder, cows from a historic ranch graze away fire danger - The Colorado Sun
.
Not again! Safeway workers in Colorado could go on strike as soon as Sunday
.
Some math nerdiness that I didn't get to yesterday
.
Ugh: Denver funeral director sentenced to 18 months on corpse abuse charge | News | denvergazette.com
.
It's not just that bison have better PR than wolves. It's that we didn't let ignorant Denverites and Boulderites vote to impose a threat on other parts of the state.
Utah wild bison crossing to Colorado get protection
.
Today's Video
Some humor by the great Brad Williams