Johnson on the Calif. Protests: Newsom Has Shown Unwillingness to Do What Is Necessary So Trump Stepped In

RUSH TRANSCRIPT:
KARL: “Let me start with the news overnight in Los Angeles. The president sends the national Guard troops in. Gavin Newsom, the governor of California, said this was purposefully inflammatory and will only escalate tensions, that they’re not needed. They have the situation under Do you have any problem or any concerns about the president sending in the National Guard to a place where local authorities say that they’re not needed and could be harmful?”

Johnson: “I have no concern about that at all. I think the president did exactly what he needed to do. These are federal laws. We have to maintain the rule of law, and that is not what is hamming. Gavin Newsom has shown an inability or an unwillingness to do what is necessary there, so the president stepped in. That’s real leadership, and he has the authority and the responsibility to do it.”

KARL: “Secretary Hegseth said active duty Marines at camp Pendleton, there by San Diego, are on high alert and could be mobilized. Could we really see active duty Marines on the streets of Los Angeles?”

Johnson: “You know, one of our core principles is maintaining peace through strength. We do that on foreign affairs and domestic affairs as well. I don’t think that’s heavy handed.”

KARL: “You don’t think sending Marines into the streets of an American city is heavy handed?”

Johnson: “We have to be prepared to do what is necessary.”