Hello everyone, welcome to “News Forum”. I am Fuyao. Today is June 9th, Monday.
Our guests today are: California journalist Li Jiayin from our station; “Jingyuan Forum” host Tang Jingyuan; current affairs commentator and senior political and economic analyst Qin Peng.
Today’s focus: Marine Corps on standby! 2000 National Guard troops dispatched, will the large-scale demonstration in Los Angeles escalate? Why did Secretary of Commerce Lutnick suddenly join the second round of US-China trade talks?!
Over the past weekend, there were large-scale protests and riots in Los Angeles, California, USA.
On the 6th, the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) suddenly launched immigration raids in multiple locations in Los Angeles, arresting at least 45 people, sparking large-scale protests. That evening, the police declared the protesters’ assembly illegal and began to disperse the crowds by firing tear gas, pepper spray, and stun grenades.
President Trump ordered the deployment of National Guard troops to Los Angeles, with senior White House officials categorizing the event as “violent insurrection.”
Let’s connect with our California journalist Li Jiayin to understand the detailed incidents.
Li Jiayin, can you introduce us to the detailed situation of the protest in Los Angeles? What was the initial trigger of this incident?
Why did ICE suddenly launch a large-scale raid?
What is the attitude of California residents?
As the protests in California escalate, President Trump has ordered the deployment of 2000 National Guard troops, with the US Northern Command confirming on X social media platform that the California National Guard has begun deploying forces to the Los Angeles area, with some members already on the ground.
These forces include members of the 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, and from the information released, it is clear that guard members are equipped with long guns and armored vehicles.
Defense Secretary Hagses has warned that if violence continues in the area, he may deploy active-duty Marine Corps.
California Governor Newsom described this as “deliberately provocative, only aggravated tensions,” believing that local authorities can “get law enforcement assistance at any time.”
However, US House Speaker Johnson, in an interview, considered President Trump’s actions to be reasonable.
The large-scale expulsion of illegal immigrants by US Border Patrol agents has recently led to retaliatory actions. Department of Homeland Security spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin stated on X platform on June 7th that attacks against ICE personnel have increased by 413% recently, with some personnel and their families being threatened through doxxing.
Moreover, in the Palamon area of California, it was reported that Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials in government vehicles were attacked with rocks and concrete, resulting in shattered windshields.
Tang Jingyuan, do you think the federal government’s orders, including President Trump’s and the Defense Secretary’s statements, such as the potential use of the military, raise concerns of “excessive enforcement” as some people question?
Qin Peng, what is the root cause of the escalation of this protest?
Tang Jingyuan, Los Angeles had the shocking LA riots in 1992. Assemblies and protests are basic rights for people in democratic societies to express themselves freely. In news footage, we see police firing tear gas, which is more common in authoritarian states like Venezuela or the gradually red-infected Hong Kong. How do you compare the protests in Los Angeles with the anti-extradition bill protests in Hong Kong?
Qin Peng, June 14th is President Trump’s birthday and also the 250th anniversary of the US Army. A grand military parade will be held in Washington, DC. The US is also about to celebrate its 250th birthday. Under the system of tripartite separation of powers for 250 years, has democracy deteriorated? How do you view the impact of the Los Angeles protests on the democratic system?
Today, US and China trade negotiation representatives will hold the second round of talks in London.
Earlier, President Trump announced that the US representatives would meet with Chinese representatives in London, UK on June 9th to discuss trade agreement issues. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Vice Premier of the State Council He Lifeng will visit the UK from June 8th to 13th.
After a 90-minute phone call between President Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping last Thursday, following the first round of talks held in Geneva, Switzerland on May 12th where both parties initially reported successful negotiations but later accused each other of not fulfilling agreements leading to a deadlock.
In the recent call, Chinese state media claimed that Xi raised the Taiwan issue and invited Trump and his wife for a visit. Trump publicly mentioned rare earth exports and student issues to Xi on social media.
Tang Jingyuan, in addition to Treasury Secretary Bessent and Trade Representative Lighthizer who participated in the first-round talks, a new addition, Secretary of Commerce Lutnick joined the US delegation, while China is still led by He Lifeng. Why do you think the US delegation has incorporated the role of Secretary of Commerce this time? Do you expect a change in the negotiation result with Lutnick’s inclusion?
Qin Peng, which issues do you expect the two sides to discuss deeply during this round of talks? Will there be a long-term significant cooling trend in the US-China tariff war after the second round of talks?
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