Washington and New York.- Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem “condemned” President Claudia Sheinbaum, accusing her of “encouraging” more violent protests in Los Angeles, while influential allies of President Donald Trump are encouraging more attacks against the Mexican leader.
“Claudia Sheinbaum came out to encourage more protests in Los Angeles, and I condemn her for that… She shouldn't be encouraging the violent protests that are happening,” Noem declared alongside Trump at the White House, where both warned of increased crackdowns on “violent protests” in that and other cities across the country, including Washington.
Noem emphasized that the president has full constitutional authority to deploy the National Guard to protect federal operations and personnel as they conduct their duties"without fear of being injured or killed or disrespected, and that they can return to their families every night."
These statements came one day after influential ultraconservative commentator and Trumpist Charlie Kirk (with 3.4 million YouTube followers and a prominent voice on the right-wing channel Turning Point) declared that Sheinbaum “is a bigger threat to the United States than Vladimir Putin” and charged that Mexico “is declaring an insurrection against us, waving the Mexican flag.” He recommended possible missile strikes against cartels and accused Mexico of being “a conquered country.” He added: “I’m warning you, Ms. Steinbaum (sic), we are angry, you have no cards. You are a despicable Third World country… you better shut up and tell your La Raza activists… to shut up, or else you won’t like what happens in response.”
Time and again, Trump allies and supporters of his repression have angrily pointed at the Mexican flags being waved at protests and marches against the anti-immigrant raids in Los Angeles, with many repeating that if they are so proud to be Mexican, why don't they return to that country?
To date, President Trump hasn't dared to personally attack the Mexican leader, something he has done with Canadian and European leaders. But today he didn't correct his Secretary of Homeland Security, whose department includes agencies in charge of raids and immigration enforcement.
