Did Donald Trump deliberately provoke the LA protests?

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Jun 11, 2025

In this discussion, Miles Taylor, former Chief of Staff at the Department of Homeland Security and outspoken Trump critic, dives deep into the implications of military deployment during LA protests. He reveals how Trump's actions may be calculated political moves. Taylor also shares insights on controversial immigration raids and their community impact, probing whether they are designed to provoke outrage. Additionally, he discusses troubling accusations he faced from the Trump administration, illustrating the precarious intersection of power, free speech, and accountability.

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INSIGHT

Trump's Military Mobilization Strategy

Donald Trump aims to exert personal control over law enforcement by deploying military forces on U.S. soil.
His administration has intentionally provoked situations to justify sending troops into heavily Democratic areas like Los Angeles.

INSIGHT

Using Violence to Justify Power

The Trump administration benefits politically from portraying protests as violent to justify military deployment.
They may actually want to see an escalation to leverage national security powers against protest groups.

INSIGHT

Militarized Immigration Raids

ICE agents conduct raids wearing intimidating military gear without clear identification.
This aggressive appearance heightens fear and anger in immigrant communities targeted by enforcement.

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Sarah and Anthony are joined by Miles Taylor to discuss events in LA and to ask whether the President is deliberately stoking protest for political ends. Miles was the Chief of Staff at the Department of Homeland Security during Donald Trump’s first term but has since become a vocal critic. He talks about President Trump’s ambition to enact similar policies during his first stint in the White House; plans that were ultimately thwarted. With the President now unbound are we seeing the execution of Trump’s original plans for government? And, Miles was the subject of a Trump administration Executive Memo in April which accused him of illegally publishing classified information; disclosing “sensitive information obtained through unauthorized methods” and that his “conduct could properly be characterized as treasonous and as possibly violating the Espionage Act.” He speaks about the impact it has had on him and his career.

HOSTS: * Sarah Smith, North America Editor * Anthony Zurcher, North America Correspondent

GUEST: * Miles Taylor, former chief of staff at the Department for Homeland Security

GET IN TOUCH: * Join our online community: https://discord.gg/qSrxqNcmRB * Send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 9480 * Email Americast@bbc.co.uk * Or use #Americast

This episode was made by Miranda Slade, Alix Pickles and Tom Gillett. The technical producer was Hannah Montgomery. The series producer is Purvee Pattni. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

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