LA Protests: Trump’s National Guard Move Sparks Legal Concerns
Newsweek wrote on June 8:
“Federal immigration enforcement operations sparked protests across California for a second day in a row on Saturday. [They continued on Sunday.] ICE carried out raids in Paramount, Los Angeles County, following similar actions at several locations throughout other parts of city on Friday. Governor Gavin Newsom criticized the move [to send 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles], saying that local law enforcement was already mobilized and the presence of the National Guard was ‘purposefully inflammatory,’ would ‘escalate tensions’ and ‘erode public trust.’
“On Saturday, the White House ordered the deployment of the National Guard to Los Angeles under a provision called Title 10 to ‘temporarily protect ICE and other United States government personnel who are performing federal functions.’ The National Guard is a state-based military force that serves as both a state and federal reserve branch of the U.S. Army and Air Force.
It typically operates under state command and is funded by the state. However, in some cases, troops may be assigned to federal missions while still under state control, with funding provided by the central government.
“The law referenced in Trump’s proclamation allows National Guard troops to be placed under federal command, and permits this under three conditions: if the U.S. is invaded or faces the threat of invasion; if there is a rebellion or imminent rebellion against federal authority; or if the president is unable to enforce federal laws using regular forces. The memorandum from the White House reads: ‘To the extent that protests or acts of violence directly inhibit the execution of the laws, they constitute a form of rebellion against the authority of the government of the United States.’
“However, the law also stipulates that such orders should ‘be issued through the governors of the states.’ It is not immediately clear if the president can activate National Guard troops without the order of that state’s governor… The Trump administration has not invoked the Insurrection Act, according to anonymous U.S. officials who spoke to Reuters this weekend. The act of 1807 serves as the primary legal authority allowing a president to deploy the military or National Guard during times of rebellion or civil unrest.
“… After Trump announced he was deploying National Guard troops on Saturday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said other measures could follow. Hegseth wrote on X that active duty Marines at Camp Pendleton, south of Los Angeles, were on ‘high alert’ and could also be mobilized ‘if violence continues.’” [Newsom called the potential deployment of US Marines in his state “deranged”.]
BBC News added on June 8:
“Trump’s decision to federalise the National Guard, which is normally under state control, is unusual. The military force’s website says it was brought under federal control using Title 10 of the US Code – the same law Trump used – during the Civil Rights era.
“Presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy and Johnson used the National Guard to help enforce civil rights and keep public order. The Guard was also federalised during the 1967 Detroit riot, in riots after the killing of Martin Luther King Jr in 1968, and during the New York postal strike in 1970
“… the last time a president federalized the National Guard was during the 1992 LA riots… after four white police officers were acquitted over the videotaped beating of a black motorist [Rodney King].”
All of this will lead to more and more legal challenges in court.
“Frightening Actions” by the Trump Administration
The Guardian wrote on June 8:
“US national guard troops began to deploy in downtown Los Angeles after an immigration crackdown saw police use teargas on protesters in a move that has sent shockwaves through American politics... The order… marks a stunning escalation in a broad crackdown on immigrants in the United States following raids across the country which have triggered protests… many critics have feared [something like this] might happen during his second administration amid fears that the US is sliding into authoritarianism…
“Tom Homan, Trump’s ‘border czar’,… warned that immigration enforcement will continue ‘every day’ in Los Angeles…. ‘I don’t care if they like it or not.’…
“During afternoon protests at a downtown federal detention facility on Friday, David Huerta, the president of the California branch of the Service Employees International Union, was arrested. Huerta, who was injured and detained, released a statement to the Los Angeles Times from the hospital, saying, ‘Hard-working people, and members of our family and our community, are being treated like criminals. We all collectively have to object to this madness because this is not justice,’ he added.”
Huerta Charged… For What?
The Associated Press reported on June 9:
”Federal prosecutors have charged California [SEIU] union leader David Jose Huerta with conspiring to impede an officer… In a court affidavit, a homeland security agent wrote that a ‘law enforcement officer approached Huerta and told him to leave, then put his hands on Huerta to move him out of the way of a vehicle’… The agent said Huerta pushed back and the officer pushed Huerta to the ground and arrested him.
“The SEIU has planned a rally in Los Angeles for Monday. ‘We demand David Huerta’s immediate release and an end to these abusive workplace raids,’ April Verrett, SEIU’s international president, said in a statement.”
It’s getting more and more ridiculous…
Deutsche Welle wrote on June 8:
“Erwin Chemerinsky, dean of the UC Berkeley School of Law, told the Los Angeles Times that by overriding Newsom’s authority, Trump ‘is using the military domestically to stop dissent.’
“‘It certainly sends a message as to how this administration is going to respond to protests. It is very frightening to see this done,’ he added.”
Violence and Mayhem
Daily Mail wrote on June 8:
“The Los Angeles Police Department warned rioters on Saturday night that the use of non-lethal munitions has been authorized… The threats to use force came as activists set cars on fire and threw rocks and flaming projectiles at the authorities…. On Saturday, amid chants for ICE agents to get out, some protestors waved Mexican flags while others set a US flag on fire.
“Cement blocks and overturned shopping carts from Home Depot served as crude roadblocks… Smoke rose from burning shrubbery and refuse in the street, and demonstrators kicked at a Border Patrol vehicle.”
The New York Post wrote on June 8:
“Dramatic footage of a masked protester on a dirt bike waving a Mexican flag as he performs donuts around a blazing car in Los Angeles has become a symbol of the anti-ICE riots in the city.
The drone footage of the masked protester went viral after it was shared on X — and many observers say it gives President Trump a propaganda coup as he works to round up and deport migrants from LA and other sanctuary cities.
“Further pictures from demonstrations show protestors waving the flags of Palestine, and one demonstrator stands on top of a blazing car with a flag from the impoverished African nation of Burkina Faso… ‘This is like the perfect propaganda footage for Trump and Steven Miller. Why do people do this?’ Australian political observer Drew Pavlou [wrote]…”
Social media is speculating, without evidence, that all of this has been staged by Trump. But it is a known fact that many times, peaceful demonstrations are being infiltrated by violent elements. That is why Christians should stay away from those demonstrations.
Newsom Is Threatened With Arrest
NBC News wrote on June 8:
“Tom Homan, Trump’s appointed border czar,… warned that the governor and L.A.’s mayor could be arrested…
“The Trump administration appointee has previously stated that efforts to impede ICE operations could result in arrest. He said that neither Newsom nor Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, both Democrats whom he accused of creating ‘a sanctuary for criminals,’ were exempt from that prospect. ‘I’ll say about anybody,’ Homan said. ‘It’s a felony to knowingly harbor and conceal an illegal alien. It’s a felony to impede law enforcement from doing their job.’”
This might be an idle threat, but if it were to be carried out, more violent protests would be the consequence.
Technically, Homan’s statements regarding the law may be correct, even though this is clearly a controversial statute. What makes Homan’s statements troublesome is the fact that he declared earlier that only aliens with criminal convictions would be the subject of the deportation policy, and that there might just be a little bit of “collateral damage.” This was quite clearly not true as many aliens being arrested are those who are undocumented or who have overstayed their visa, without having committed any crime beyond being here illegally. The anger in the USA is growing.
Newsom Responds to Homan
The New York Post wrote on June 9:
“California Gov. Gavin Newsom added fuel to the fire after daring President Trump’s border czar Tom Homan to arrest him for failing to crack down on violent anti-ICE agitators in his state. ‘Come after me. Arrest me. Let’s just get it over with, tough guy,’ the defiant Democrat told NBC News on Sunday…
“‘But you know what? Let your hands off 4-year-old girls that are trying to get educated. Let your hands off these poor people. They’re just trying to live their lives, man. Trying to live their lives, paying their taxes. Been here for 10 years. The fear, the horror… These guys need to grow up. They need to stop, and we need to push back. And I’m sorry to be so clear, but that kind of bloviating is exhausting. So, Tom, arrest me. Let’s go,’ he added.”
Newsom will become more and more popular among Democrats. His assumed goal is to run for the Presidency in 2028.
California Sues Trump
Deutsche Welle wrote on June 9:
“California Governor Gavin Newsom said California will sue the Trump administration over its deployment of the National Guard to quell Los Angeles protests. Newsom told MSNBC that the lawsuit would challenge the president’s move to authorize federal troops without the state’s consent.
“‘Donald Trump has created the conditions you see on your TV tonight. He’s exacerbated the conditions. He’s, you know, lit the proverbial match. He’s putting fuel on this fire, ever since he announced he was taking over the National Guard — an illegal act, an immoral act, an unconstitutional act,’ Newsom said…”
Judge: Trump’s Action Illegal
Threadreader wrote on June 12:
“Judge Breyer orders Trump to return control of the National Guard back to California, saying the call-up was illegal… Breyer stays his order until noon tomorrow, which should be enough time for Trump to seek emergency appeal at 9th Circuit and perhaps Supreme Court.”
The judge granted Newsom a temporary restraining order and enjoined Trump from deploying members of the California National Guard in Los Angeles.
Glendale Ends ICE Detention Contract
Deutsche Welle wrote on June 9:
“The City of Glendale in Los Angeles County has canceled a contract that allowed Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to house detainees in its local jail… ICE’s agreement with Glendale has been in place since 2007.
“Even before the recent anti-ICE protests, the city faced criticism from community members and activists who argued that the collaboration violated California’s sanctuary laws. California is a sanctuary state, meaning state and local law enforcement agencies are barred from assisting federal civil immigration officers.”
“What You Need to Know About the Riots in Los Angeles”
Bild Online wrote on June 10:
“… at Trump’s direction, the US Department of Defense mobilized 2,000 additional National Guard troops for deployment in the West Coast metropolis—and 700 Marines from the regular armed forces. Trump had already mobilized 2,000 National Guard troops over the weekend in a highly unusual and controversial move. So, a total of 4,000!…
“Downtown L.A. is a war zone: anarchy, looting, vandalism. US flags are being set on fire. ‘Death to America’ is being sprayed on walls. At the same time, the political feud between Trump and Gavin Newsom is escalating…
“The beginning of the US federal authorities’ deportation offensive was associated by many with a dramatic moment: A white van drove into the parking lot of a Home Depot store in Los Angeles. Suddenly, someone in a group of day laborers shouted, ‘La Migra!’ – ‘Immigration and Customs Enforcement!’ Masked agents from the ICE deportation agency jumped out of the vehicle, and people fled in all directions. According to eyewitness accounts, the officers ‘attacked whoever they could catch’… These and similar raids were interpreted as the prelude to a large-scale deportation offensive by the federal authorities. The outrage spread like wildfire, especially in Los Angeles County – home to the largest Hispanic community in the USA. About 50 percent of the population there is Latino, and around 10 percent live without papers…
“Donald Trump’s ‘border czar,’ deportation commissioner Tom Homan (63), however, disagrees: The raids are said to have taken place as part of the investigation into gang violence. ‘These were not migrant raids,’ he said on MSNBC. According to the federal agency, those arrested were illegal immigrants convicted of, among other things, violence against children, manslaughter, or sexual abuse…
“At first, it was migrants and activists, encouraged by local politicians, who wanted to blame Trump for the chaos. However, extremists from progressive groups quickly joined in – Israel haters with Palestinian flags, ‘Black Lives Matter’ agitators, and especially ‘Antifa’ rioters. Antifa, as so often, forms the core of violent perpetrators: They wear black, paramilitary outfits and have tools for breaking out concrete blocks as projectiles… NGOs, especially the ‘Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles’ (CHIRLA), have also been criticized…
“Newsom and L.A. Mayor Karen Bass (71) assert that local security forces can restore calm: But the LAPD is dramatically understaffed with just 8,620 police officers – with the riots at multiple hotspots, there is a lack of police everywhere.”
KTLA wrote on June 8:
“Protests over President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown and the deployment of the National Guard boiled over on the streets of Los Angeles on Sunday as demonstrators blocked the 101 Freeway and surface streets, set cars ablaze, and lobbed projectiles at law enforcement… throwing concrete, bottles and other objects… Later in the evening, CHP officers on the 101 Freeway came under assault from rocks, fireworks and other objects thrown by agitators on a bridge.”
And the Raids and Protests Will Go On…
The New York Post wrote on June 11:
“ICE tactical units are gearing up to conduct raids in five Democrat-led areas… The tactical units are set to deploy into New York City, Philadelphia, northern Virginia, Chicago, and Seattle… Previous ICE raids led to distressing scenes in downtown Los Angeles after protests quickly escalated into full-blown riots over the last five days.
“Newsom condemned Trump’s decisions during an emotional televised address Tuesday night, when he likened the president’s actions to those of an ‘authoritarian’ regime… ‘If some of us can be snatched off the streets without a warrant, based only on suspicion or skin color, then none of us are safe. Authoritarian regimes begin by targeting people who are least able to defend themselves. But they do not stop there… California may be first — but it clearly won’t end here. Other states are next… There are no longer any checks and balances. Congress is nowhere to be found. [House] Speaker [Mike] Johnson has completely abdicated that responsibility…’
“While the California governor spent most of his address attacking Trump, he pleaded with protesters not to turn to violence and claimed authorities have arrested ‘more than 370 people’ who participated in ‘criminal behavior’ and are actively looking to take more into custody…
“As law enforcement continues to try to get the chaos in the city under control, other parts of the US have begun to see an uptick in unrest, with anti-ICE protests sprouting up in New York City, Chicago, and San Francisco. Thousands of angry New Yorkers took to the streets near Foley Square in the shadow of City Hall to protest the Immigration and Customs Enforcement deportations going on in the city and throughout the country on Tuesday… In Chicago, thousands of people marched downtown and eventually clashed with police…”
The Guardian added on June 10:
“Large rallies also took place in Dallas and Austin on Monday, and up to 1,800 protests are planned nationwide on Saturday, to coincide with the military parade Donald Trump is throwing on his birthday in the nation’s capital.”
Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbot has already ordered state National Guard troops deployed to San Antonio in anticipation of immigration protests this week.
Trump to Liberate Los Angeles?
Newsmax wrote on June 11:
“President Donald Trump called protesters in Los Angeles ‘animals’ and ‘a foreign enemy’ in a speech at Fort Bragg on Tuesday as he defended deploying the military on demonstrators opposed to his immigration enforcement raids and as he vowed to ‘liberate’ the West Coast city… Trump’s intense comments came as he has left open the possibility of invoking the Insurrection Act, one of the most extreme emergency powers available to the president. It authorizes him to deploy military forces inside the U.S. to suppress rebellion or domestic violence or to enforce the law in certain situations…
“The president called Los Angeles ‘a trash heap’ with ‘entire neighborhoods under control’ of criminals…
“Trump said earlier Tuesday that there would be more immigration raids and that any additional protests would be met with even greater force, including those who show up at the parade.”
He also said that Europe should learn from what Trump is doing regarding immigration and should act likewise.
Civil War?
The Mirror wrote on June 9:
“Americans fear civil war is beginning right before their eyes as L.A. protesters and police clash…
“Writing on X, one user said, ‘…sadly LA looks like a scene from the 2024 Civil War movie,’ while another user asked: ‘Is the US now in de facto civil war or is that not yet what they call it?’ Others said they fear L.A. is the ‘beginning’ of a wider civil war across the U.S….”
Time Magazine wrote on June 8:
“… the ACLU condemned Trump’s decision, calling it ‘akin to a declaration of war on all Californians… We intend to file suit and hold this administration accountable and to protect our communities from further attacks.’… Daniel Kanstroom, a professor at Boston College Law School, says that this is an ‘incredibly dangerous’ moment in America… Trump’s tactics, he says, have only worsened this crisis.
“‘When you have agents apparently arbitrarily arresting people, pulling them off the street without showing a warrant, without explaining who they are, without being respectful, then this creates a sense of terror and fear in the community, and that tends to result, sooner or later, in a kind of resistance, which is what we’re seeing develop,’ says Kanstroom.”
Trump Admits Error?
Otus wrote on June 12:
“President Donald Trump said Thursday that he may create a carveout to his mass deportation efforts for hospitality and farm workers.
“After facing criticism over immigration raids that picked up people who have lived in the U.S. for years, Trump said the White House is looking at executive action that would exempt employees of some farmers and hotels from the administration’s sweeping immigration enforcement push.”
This is all Trump’s doing and should not have happened in the first place. Also, effective June 12, Trump terminated humanitarian parole for about 450,000 aliens from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. Their work authorization was revoked—contributing further to the destruction of America’s economy.
Trump’s Fury Backfires
The New Republic wrote on June 11:
“The media has it wrong. Trump is not coming across as fearsome and strong… With President Donald Trump sending more troops into Los Angeles amid protests there, a remarkable image has gone viral on social media. It shows members of the National Guard crowded into a sterile-looking office, sleeping on a hard floor, in evident discomfort, all dressed in full military gear.
“The image doesn’t just reveal awful planning for this dispatching of troops. It also captures the deeper absurdity of this entire operation: These members of the military were supposedly needed to quell an urgent emergency, but as it has turned out, they were simply not needed for this purpose at all…
“The Wall Street Journal… says that in May, top Trump adviser Stephen Miller told Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials that Trump was displeased with lagging deportation numbers. Miller told ICE officials that they are not merely supposed to target gang members and violent criminals, and instead must ‘just go out there and arrest illegal aliens.’ It’s this order that inspired the ICE sweep at a Home Depot in Los Angeles that led to where we are right now, reports the Journal.
“… by definition this entails targeting day laborers—that is, going after people who want to work and whose labor is in demand, meaning it inherently constitutes the opposite of hunting for dangerous criminals. Worse, Trump and Miller are not just neglecting serious criminal migrants to target more noncriminals; to do so, they’re also actively shifting law enforcement resources away from other serious crimes, from drug trafficking to child exploitation…
“And polling data shows that while generalized deportations sometimes poll well, majorities do not support removals of longtime residents, noncriminals, and people with jobs. Voters want a law-based, orderly immigration system, but they don’t harbor Trump-Miller’s deep ideological hostility to the mere presence of undocumented immigrants…”
ABC Correspondent Suspended After Attacking Stephen Miller
The New York Post wrote on June 8:
“ABC News’ senior national correspondent Terry Moran [went] on a late-night screed against top White House adviser Stephen Miller along with President Trump on social media — drawing scathing backlash from the Trump administration.
“Moran… blasted Miller, the White House deputy chief of staff for policy, as a man ‘richly endowed with the capacity for hatred’… ‘He’s a world-class hater,’ the ABC News reporter added… ‘He eats his hate… Trump is a world-class hater. But his hatred [is] only a means to an end, and that end [is] his own glorification. That’s his spiritual nourishment.’
“ABC News announced Sunday that it was suspending him over concerns about him violating the outlet’s standards on impartiality and objectivity. ‘ABC News stands for objectivity and impartiality in its news coverage and does not condone subjective personal attacks on others. The post does not reflect the views of ABC News and violated our standards — as a result, Terry Moran has been suspended pending further evaluation,’ a spokesperson told The Post. Moran later deleted his posts, but not before they were screen-shotted and spread across X like wildfire… Moran’s tirade against Miller came as tensions boiled over in Los Angeles… During this time, Miller publicly ripped the riots as an ‘insurrection.’…
“The ABC news correspondent hasn’t been shy about weighing in on some of the politically dicey subjects he covers. Last November, Moran explained that he predicted Trump would win in 2016 and 2024. ‘The way to understand Trump (as I said on ABC Election Night 2016) is to see him not as a Republican or Democrat, not as a conservative or liberal, but as a Nationalist,’ he posted on X last November. ‘And, like many nationalist leaders, he is a man with an authoritarian cast of mind and a personality to match,” he added, noting that he was ‘not endorsing any political point of view.’
“In April, Moran notched a highly coveted interview with Trump for his 100 days in office milestone. The two had sparred over Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s deportation to El Salvador and alleged ties to MS-13. In December, ABC paid $15 million to settle a defamation lawsuit Trump brought against the news network over George Stephanopoulos’ use of the word ‘rape’ to describe the civil sexual abuse judgement against Trump in a case brought by E. Jean Carroll. Trump has denied wrongdoing in that case.”
Subsequently, Disney’s ABC fired Moran on Tuesday. One may ask what was really behind ABC’s actions. The explanation given by ABC is laughable and not believable. It needs to be stated that Miller is perceived by many as a highly controversial figure whose rage has been broadcast even on conservative channels like Fox News.
Biden Cover-Up Worse Than Watergate
The Ron Paul Institute wrote on June 5, 2025:
“For years, Jake Tapper, the leading newsreader for CNN, has been very unfair to and very biased against Republicans in general, and to President Trump in particular. Now, in an attempt to restore some of his lost credibility, he has written a new book with Alex Thompson of Axios about the Biden health cover-up. He apparently is embarrassed and/or feels guilty about all he did in a very partisan way to try to keep a very unhealthy Joe Biden in office as president, but I will give him credit for now admitting to some extent how wrong he was. Of course, he is putting most of the blame on the White House staff…
“He said: ‘Alex and I are here to say that conservative media was right and conservative media was correct and that there should be a lot of soul-searching, not just among me, but among the legacy media.’ In an interview with Piers Morgan, Tapper said the cover-up of Biden’s health by the White House, aided by Tapper and most of the national media, was ‘maybe even worse’ than the Watergate scandal…
“Tapper’s book apparently says that Biden’s inner circle ‘couldn’t believe how easily (the media) swallowed campaign lies’… Much of the mainstream media was doing everything it could to protect and promote Biden… In the summer of 2023, the New York Times reported that ‘people who deal with him regularly, including some of his adversaries, say he remains sharp and commanding in private meetings’ and ‘he has at times exerted striking stamina.’
“His two young press secretaries said at different times they were having trouble keeping up with him and that videos shown by Fox News and other conservative media were ‘deep fake.’ Yet, several months before the election, the Biden campaign tried to film a town hall meeting to use on TV ads, but they couldn’t use it because, according to the Tapper book, Biden ‘couldn’t put together coherent thoughts.’ The book also said Hunter Biden was ‘effectively chief of staff.’”
The cover-up was indeed outrageous and constitutes embarrassing testimony for the political agenda of the mass media.
Was a Coup Planned in Washington Against German Chancellor?
Der Westen wrote on June 5:
“Former ‘Bild’ editor-in-chief Julian Reichelt could have caused the bombshell of the day. Many press representatives from Berlin had already anticipated an unpleasant surprise for Friedrich Merz in the Oval Office. Possibly even a scandal! Just as with the visits of Volodymyr Zelenskyy or South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. Would Trump want to expose and humiliate his guest from Germany?
“When Reichelt was suddenly spotted in the White House, speculation began. The controversial head of the far-right portal ‘Nius’ was not traveling to Washington as part of Merz’s press delegation.
“So it was clear that Reichelt was smuggled into the White House by the Trump side. For an appearance to attack Merz in the middle of the US capital in front of the press? That freedom of expression was supposedly restricted in Germany or that the AfD is being suppressed by the state? Trump’s vice president, JD Vance, struck a similar tone months ago at the Munich Security Conference. Vance appeared to be sitting on the sofa, lurking with anticipation.
“But things didn’t go according to plan for Reichelt. His appearance briefly caused a stir online, but he didn’t get a chance to ask Trump or Merz a question… ‘Welt’ journalist Robin Alexander, who was present in the Oval Office himself, reported… : ‘Julian started a question in which the word “freedom” appeared, but was drowned out…’ The journalist was unfortunate enough to be seated in the second row, thus not in Trump’s direct line of sight.”
Handelsblatt wrote on June 5:
“Surprise guest in the White House: ‘Nius’ editor-in-chief Julian Reichelt is the only German journalist who was not part of the Merz delegation present in the Oval Office. A total of 18 people from the Merz delegation, including journalists, were granted access to the Oval Office. Reichelt managed to attend outside of official channels. His presence underscores two developments: the White House is placing increasing emphasis on the influence of right-wing media – and: official channels are becoming less and less relevant for networking and access.”
Merz had been warned before his trip not to fall into the trap, like Zelensky had done, which might be prepared by Trump, especially in regard to the issue of freedom of speech and the press in Germany. Trump asked twice at the end of the press conference whether there weren’t any questions for Merz—was this the set-up? But the other journalists made so much noise, maybe intentionally so, that Reichelt was not heard. And only one asked a question of Merz. The other one asked something of Trump. And then Trump ended the press conference with his good friend Friedrich.
After the meeting, Merz said that the issue regarding the AfD did not come up, not even in his private talks with Trump, because the Trump Administration “must have recognized by now how problematic the AfD is.” He also reiterated that it is Germany’s responsibility, and Germany’s alone, as to how to deal with the AfD. But this issue is not off the table.
The American Dream—Gone!
TTW wrote on June 9:
“Australia now stands firmly beside Canada, Mexico, Germany, the UK, Spain, and South Korea in a growing movement to cancel trips to the United States. The shift is loud, deliberate, and impossible to ignore. These countries aren’t just reducing travel—they’re choosing easier, safer, more welcoming destinations. And the US once the dream, is now the detour.
“Australia is walking away. Canada is turning inward. Mexico is rerouting. Germany, the UK, Spain, and South Korea are all following suit. The travel tides are changing fast. But why now? Why all at once?
“The truth is hidden in plain sight. It’s in the headlines. It’s in the airports. It’s in the anxious conversations of travelers second-guessing their plans. And now, it’s becoming a global pattern…
“Australia’s love affair with U.S. travel is fading fast. Once a top destination for Aussie tourists, the United States is now facing a major pullback. Flights are being rebooked. Itineraries are being torn up. And travel dollars are being redirected toward countries that feel safer, friendlier, and more predictable… the impact on America’s tourism industry is quickly becoming undeniable.
“The warning signs have been building for months. Across travel forums, group chats, and travel agencies, Aussies are voicing the same concerns. Getting into the U.S. feels like a gamble. The visa process is stressful. Border experiences are unpredictable. And recent policies have created a climate of anxiety and hesitation. Moreover, Australia’s travelers are highly informed. They watch the global news, follow political shifts, and study how tourists are being treated. And what they see coming out of the U.S. in 2025 is turning them away.
“Aggressive airport checks. Talk of tariffs and trade feuds. Headlines filled with cultural tension. It all adds up. The perception is clear: visiting America no longer feels like a holiday—it feels like a risk…
“For the U.S., this trend couldn’t come at a worse time. Just as the industry was inching back toward pre-pandemic levels, international travel is stalling. One market at a time… The decline is not just inconvenient. It’s financially devastating.
“While the U.S. struggles to retain interest, other regions are thriving. Japan, South Korea, Italy, Greece, and Portugal are seeing a surge in Australian tourists… European destinations are capitalizing on America’s decline by offering cultural depth, visa-free access, and streamlined travel infrastructure…
“Campaigns like ‘Visit the USA’ are falling flat in Australia. Instead, travelers are being drawn in by digital influencers, local tour deals in Europe and Asia, and a growing awareness that the U.S. trip they once dreamed of may no longer be worth the cost—or the worry… With Canadians, Mexicans, and now Australians pulling back, the trend is global. It signals something deeper: America’s image as a traveler-friendly nation is being questioned…”
Trust in Trump Government “Completely Gone”
The Ron Paul Institute wrote on June 10:
“… the wild optimism that greeted the inauguration of Trump has turned to something different, a mixture of incredulity from the grassroots combined with outrage and disgust from the legacy media and establishment that fought this revolution at every turn… The new leaders – elected to change course…, began with tremendous bravado and sweeping edicts that seemed promising. Four months later, they are asking for patience while dealing with legacy barriers on all sides from media harassment to court blockages.
“The trouble is that public trust is completely gone. The whole country, traumatized by years of lies [under Biden], has become Missouri: show me.
“First, no one believes that the ‘one big beautiful bill’ is just a first step on the way to future draconian cuts. We’ve seen this too many times, which is why Elon Musk finally broke his silence and denounced the entire ‘massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill’ as ‘a disgusting abomination.’ That has set off a power struggle for the ages.
“Second, in areas of government transparency, there have been some steps but not nearly enough to fulfill the promises. There are still no new Epstein files. The JFK files are a mess and incomplete. We know no more than already public information about the two shooters who tried to kill Trump. There are still many lingering questions about 9-11, the Covid disaster, and so much else. This is not the opening for which the people had hoped.
“Third, let’s talk more at length about the public health area of policy where we’ve seen the most progress. We have a new and excellent Executive Order on science. Tax-funded Covid testing has ended. A contract of $750M for a Bird flu shot has been cancelled. There are new limits on gain-of-function research, and experiments on beagles and other animals are over. Many terrible contracts from NIH have been cancelled while parts of the CDC have been dismantled…
“Above all else, what we really need is the blunt truth about the last five years. We need to know that the people in office, whether elected or appointed, still share the deep outrage that fueled the movement that put them in power. We need to hear frank talk about the harms, the mandates, the suffering, the deceptions, the payoffs, the graft, the abuses, the illegal vanquishing of freedom, science, and human rights.
“It is not enough to proclaim a new Golden Age and be done with it. This pertains to every aspect of public life. Press conferences by the new officeholders, with smiles and promises of better behavior in the future, don’t cut it given the mass loss of trust, rampant cynicism, and grassroots fury. There must be more straight talk, more decisive action that goes to the heart of what happened, and some degree of accountability…”
Israel Attacks Iran
The Jerusalem Post wrote on June 13:
“Dozens of Israeli aircraft participated in an initial wave of strikes on dozens of military targets and Iranian nuclear sites early on Friday morning. Warning sirens have been set off to get the public ready for potential Iranian counterattacks of ballistic missiles on Israel.
“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated Iran is gearing up to produce tens of thousands of ballistic missiles, which could kill millions of Israelis even without nuclear weapons, but imagine if any of them had nuclear weapons on them. Further, Netanyahu stated Iran may only be a few months away from being able to actually make a nuclear weapon…
“In recent days, Iran developed a plan with Hezbollah, Hamas, and other proxies to destroy the State of Israel, potentially including attempts to attack via all borders, including Egypt and Jordan… Israel has had strong coordination with the US, but Israeli military officials refused to say whether America was pre-updated or fully coordinated into the current attack, coming hours after Washington seemed to suggest it might not be in the loop or approve… ‘Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region,’ Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement.”
Tusk Wins Confidence Vote
Deutsche Welle reported on June 11:
“Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk won a parliamentary vote of confidence in his pro-European government on Wednesday, just days after a stinging presidential election defeat… [The] inability to deliver on key reforms — which also includes abortion rights — despite holding a parliamentary majority, has been a dark cloud over Tusk’s government…
“In Poland, the prime minister, chosen by parliament, holds most day-to-day power, while the president, as the head of state, can influence foreign policy and veto legislation… Opposition leaders had seized the moment to signal Tusk’s downfall. Former Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro told reporters, ‘The lost presidential election is the end of Donald Tusk. His fate is already sealed.’”
Maybe not…
Germany to Introduce Compulsory Military Service?
DPA wrote on June 6:
“The head of the organization that represents Germany’s armed forces personnel has called for the reintroduction of compulsory military service. André Wüstner, from the Bundeswehr Association, said on Friday that Germany’s new coalition government should start laying the groundwork now for the possible reintroduction of conscription. In an interview with the Deutschlandfunk radio station, Wüstner also called for voluntary military service to be made more attractive in order to achieve increased NATO targets.
“He expressed doubts that it would be possible to recruit up to 60,000 additional men and women for active duty on a voluntary basis alone. He added that he could almost predict that a review would be necessary in the middle of the legislative period and that a switch to some form of compulsory military service would then be necessary… In view of the threats Germany faces, speed is needed to increase the number of active soldiers from 181,000 to 260,000, he argued.
“… Defence Minister Boris Pistorius had recently made it clear on several occasions that the voluntary nature of military service agreed by the coalition only applies if the demand can be met in this way…
“On Thursday, NATO defence ministers in Brussels agreed on the largest rearmament programme since the Cold War in response to the threat posed by Russia.”
Compulsory Military Service is coming, even though many Germans don’t (want to) believe it.
Germany’s Military Goals
Oema wrote on June 5:
“Germany in 2025 is changing. Under the leadership of Chancellor Friedrich Merz, the country is undergoing the most radical reorientation of its military policy since the end of World War II. Merz’s goal is clear: to turn the Bundeswehr into ‘the strongest conventional military force in Europe.’ This statement, as noted in an article by The Economist, is not merely symbolic. It reflects Berlin’s new self-confidence and its intention to assume a leadership role in European security at a time when Russia is once again threatening the continent and the United States is no longer seen as a guaranteed defender of European defense.
“The most striking evidence of this shift was the military ceremony on May 22 in Vilnius. For the first time since 1945, German armored units were permanently stationed abroad, forming the ‘Lithuania’ Brigade as part of Berlin’s NATO commitment. The symbolic weight of this move is immense. For decades, German politicians avoided such actions, mindful of World War II memories and a deeply ingrained societal stance on military restraint. But today, the facts are changing.
“Berlin’s pivot comes with significant investments. Merz and the Defense Ministry have pledged to dramatically increase the defense budget in order to renew the arsenal, boost readiness, and fill personnel gaps. At the same time, the industrial sector is being strengthened: new orders for Leopard tanks, missile systems, and electronic defense systems are activating German defense manufacturers. At the core of this strategy lies the desire for strategic autonomy—not only for Germany, but for all of Europe.
“However, transforming the Bundeswehr is no easy task. Military infrastructure remains outdated, staffing shortages are widespread, and public support is not a given. German society remains divided. Some welcome Merz’s decisiveness and believe the country must shoulder greater responsibility. Others fear that expanding the military’s role could stir tensions, especially with the historical burden of the past still fresh.
“What’s clear is that Germany is not merely aiming for defensive sufficiency. It seeks a strategic role, power, and influence within Europe’s security architecture. And if Merz’s plan succeeds, Berlin will not only be able to defend itself but also lead Europe both politically and militarily. Germany’s new military might is no longer a ghost of the past—it’s the foundation of a different geopolitical reality unfolding before our eyes.”
Indeed it is.
No Peace Between Russia and Ukraine
Newsweek wrote on June 9:
“The Ukraine war won’t end until NATO withdraws troops from the Baltics, a top Russian official has warned… [Sergei] Ryabkov’s comments mark a shift in the Kremlin’s position. He suggested that the conflict’s roots lie not only in Ukraine itself but in NATO’s eastward expansion… NATO maintains a strong military presence in the Baltic States, with multinational battle groups and brigades stationed in Bulgaria, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Slovakia…
“The Kremlin had said Ukraine must abandon its ambitions to join NATO as a condition for ending the war, but Ryabkov appeared to signal to Tass that the alliance must withdraw completely from the Baltics as well… Moscow and Kyiv will continue to launch strikes on each other’s territory, with the war in Ukraine showing few signs of a peace deal in the near future.”
What Germans and Russians Think…
Deutsche Welle wrote on June 5:
“The vast majority — 84% — of those [Germans] surveyed thought that Russia could not be relied upon, and 73% said the same of the US. Israel was also classified as no longer reliable by a clear majority. Only 16% of respondents still regarded Israel as a partner that Germany can rely on — an 11% drop compared with October 2024… The Israeli course of action in Gaza has gone too far, according to 63% of respondents, while 18% thought it was appropriate.
“Seventy-seven percent of respondents thought it was right that Chancellor Friedrich Merz criticized Israel for its current military conduct in Gaza. Only one in eight thought Germany should unconditionally support Israel in the Gaza conflict… Almost exactly as many respondents blame Israel for the situation faced by Palestinian civilians in Gaza as blame Hamas… 43% supported restricting weapons exports to Israel, and a further 30% wanted a complete stop…
“Forty percent of those surveyed were satisfied with the [German] coalition’s first few weeks in office… Friedrich Merz of the CDU has gained considerable popularity since taking office as Germany’s chancellor. Of those surveyed, 39% were satisfied with his work, up 14% since April. Vice Chancellor and Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil of the SPD, also has a 39% approval rating. The only high-profile German politician who most citizens are satisfied with remains Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD).
How easily gullible Germans can become deceived and manipulated…At the same time, most Russians consider Germany as their greatest enemy, followed by the United Kingdom and Ukraine. They consider Belarus, China, India and North Korea as their greatest friends. These “friendly” countries, together with Russia, would all be part of the prophesied Kings of the East.
Acknowledgement and Disclaimer:
These Current Events are compiled and commented on by Norbert Link. We gratefully acknowledge the many contributions of news articles from our readership. The publication of articles in this section is not to be viewed as an endorsement or approval as to contents or accuracy of the selected articles, but they are published for the purpose of pointing at worldwide developments in the light of biblical end-time prophecy and godly instruction. Our own comments are provided in italics.