Lisa Desjardins :
There is one overall theme for most Republicans. They support the president. They support the actions here. There is a small minority that has some questions about what’s happening and maybe has an issue, has an issue with the Marines themselves.
But the vast majority of Republicans here on Capitol Hill that we spoke to today support the president. And they say three specific things. One, they’re telling us that they think the situation in Los Angeles was too volatile, too dangerous. And they have even pointed to past situations, in their opinion, to say that California was not going to get the situation under control.
Number two, repeatedly, there is sort of a talking point, a messaging and a belief by these Republicans that President Trump did need to take action because his job is to protect Americans. Number three, and this is important, Amna, Republicans today, many of them repeated this idea to me, that the Marines are there only to protect federal buildings and federal personnel.
So while they weren’t saying this was a red line for them, this was something that made it easier for Republicans to support active-duty troops going into Los Angeles from President Trump.
Now, we spoke to many Republicans today. I want to play a little bit of what some said, but many of them, while they’re defending President Trump, were criticizing California Governor Gavin Newsom. So here’s some of what we heard starting with a California Republican.