Conservative firebrand Michael Knowles isn’t holding back when it comes to California’s leadership and the violent ICE protests in Los Angeles — saying things got so out of control that former President Donald Trump had to step in personally.
“Total Breakdown” in L.A., According to Knowles
During a fiery segment on TMZ Live, Knowles ripped into Gov. Gavin Newsom and L.A. Mayor Karen Bass, blaming their leadership for what he calls a complete failure to control the protests.
“You’ve got burned-out police cruisers, injured officers, and a Molotov cocktail thrown by an illegal alien? That’s not a protest — that’s a riot,” Knowles said.
He argued that the escalation in L.A. left Trump no choice but to deploy the National Guard and send in the Marines to bring things under control.
Hosts Push Back — Knowles Doesn’t Flinch
When TMZ hosts pointed out that the unrest was confined to a relatively small part of L.A., Knowles refused to budge:
“The scale doesn’t matter when public safety is on the line. This is exactly the kind of moment voters want leadership — and Trump’s showing restraint by not going further.”
He claimed that Trump’s decisive move was not authoritarianism, but leadership in a crisis.
Would He Support a Democrat Doing the Same?
In one of the more heated moments, the hosts challenged Knowles to consider whether he’d back a Democratic president taking similar action in a Republican-led state.
His answer?
“If a red-state governor lets their city burn, yes — I’d want action. No one gets a pass when Americans are under threat.”
???? The Bigger Picture
Knowles’ appearance reflects a growing conservative frustration with California’s progressive policies, especially regarding immigration enforcement and law-and-order responses. For Trump supporters, the former president’s move is being framed as “presidential intervention,” while critics call it government overreach.
Watch the Full Segment
The full exchange on TMZ Live dives deeper into Knowles’ views on immigration, civil unrest, and federal authority. Whether you agree or not, it’s a must-watch clash of ideologies.
???? Final Word:
Michael Knowles isn’t backing down — and neither is the debate. With immigration and law enforcement already hot-button issues in the 2024 race, this clash over ICE protests, Trump’s response, and California’s leadership could be a glimpse into the rhetoric ahead.