Republican Senator Tom Cotton has been criticized for the language in a Wall Street Journal op-ed that supported President Trump’s decision to send in National Guard troops to Los Angeles in response to anti-ICE riots. During an interview with CBS host Margaret Brennan, Cotton was pressed about the choice of words, which referenced the ‘threat from the radical left’ and called for a ‘show of force to end the right.’ Brennan questioned the appropriateness of such language in the context of national tensions.
Cotton defended his comments, arguing that local law enforcement was overwhelmed and that federal intervention was necessary to restore order. His remarks echo similar arguments made during the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests. Cotton also announced plans to introduce new legislation that would increase penalties for rioters attacking law enforcement and make riot-related crimes a deportable offense. This comes amid a larger debate over the role of federal versus local authorities in managing civil unrest.
Cotton’s op-ed, published in the Wall Street Journal, supported Trump’s actions, which faced pushback from Democrats. Los Angeles Police Chief claimed that local forces had the situation under control, contradicting Cotton’s assertion that they were stretched thin. Despite the criticism, Cotton maintained that the proposed measures were ‘basic common sense’ and necessary for public safety. He also highlighted the Republican budget bill’s inclusion of additional funding for immigration authorities to deport criminal illegal immigrants, aligning with his stance on immigration enforcement.