California Governor Gavin Newsom has accused the Trump administration and the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) of spreading disinformation in an alleged attempt to justify the military deployment in Los Angeles. Newsom’s criticism centers around a video posted on X (formerly Twitter) by the DoD’s Rapid Response account, which depicted violent scenes from protests, including burning and graffitied police cars. The governor contends that these visuals were not from the current unrest but were instead recycled footage from 2020 protests following the death of George Floyd.
“This isn’t just disinformation,” Newsom’s office stated in a viral post. “It’s a propaganda campaign from the Pentagon.” According to the governor, this attempt to misrepresent the current protests is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to militarize Los Angeles and portray a false narrative of widespread chaos.
Snopes Debunks Viral Footage
The fact-checking site Snopes confirmed that the video in question indeed features footage from May 2020. The LAPD car numbers visible 504 and 658 matched those seen in NBC News coverage during the George Floyd protests. The similarities in vehicle damage, scene layout, and surrounding environment left little doubt that the footage was repurposed to stoke current fears and justify federal military presence.
Snopes also flagged additional misleading content circulating on social media. One popular video falsely claimed to show immigrants lighting a Jeep on fire during recent protests, when in fact it was footage from an unrelated incident in March 2024 at 63rd Street and Crenshaw Boulevard in Los Angeles. Another video purported to show rioters attacking a store owner during immigration protests in Los Angeles, but it was traced back to a 7-Eleven incident in Anaheim from October 2024.
Escalating Tensions Over Immigration Enforcement
The protests that have swept Los Angeles in recent days erupted following a large-scale Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation on June 6. The crackdown triggered widespread outrage and prompted spontaneous demonstrations, which, in some cases, escalated into violent confrontations with law enforcement.
In response, President Donald Trump authorized the deployment of 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines to the city without securing consent from California officials. Trump argued that such drastic action was necessary to “prevent Los Angeles from burning to the ground.” However, Governor Newsom and other state leaders have pushed back, stating that the protests though tense did not merit military intervention.
Propaganda Allegations Amid Nationwide Unrest
Newsom’s office and other critics have condemned the use of outdated or unrelated footage as a dangerous misinformation tactic. “Right-wing accounts are recycling old videos to justify their Dear Leader’s militarization of Los Angeles,” Newsom’s press office wrote, applauding Snopes for its investigative reporting.
The DoD’s Rapid Response account, which launched in February and boasts over 180,000 followers, describes its mission as “fighting against fake news.” However, its recent activity has raised serious concerns about the role of the military in influencing public perception through social media.
Sean Parnell, the Pentagon’s chief spokesperson, defended the video and sharply criticized Newsom. “Gavin Newsom has let L.A. burn to the ground on so many occasions,” he said to Newsweek, “it’s hard to distinguish between all the lawlessness, violence, and chaos throughout the last few years.” Parnell insisted that Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth are acting to protect federal law enforcement and infrastructure in the face of Newsom’s perceived inaction.
The unrest in Los Angeles is not isolated. Protests have spread across multiple cities, fueled by opposition to Trump’s immigration policies and concern over federal overreach. The controversy comes amid preparations for a large military parade in Washington, D.C., commemorating the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army, which also coincides with Trump’s 79th birthday.
Activist groups, including the “No Kings” movement, have organized over 1,800 demonstrations nationwide to coincide with the parade, many of which are expected to draw large crowds. Trump has warned that protesters in D.C. “will be met with very heavy force,” prompting fears of violent confrontations between demonstrators and security forces.
While there have been documented incidents of arson, vandalism, and violence during the recent protests including attacks on self-driving cars and police officers many demonstrators remain peaceful. Civil rights advocates argue that Trump’s militarized response has only inflamed tensions, undermining efforts to maintain public safety and civil liberties.
Local law enforcement and city officials are preparing for a volatile weekend, with tightened security and crowd control measures in major urban centers. The White House maintains that the military deployments are essential to restoring order, but critics argue they are part of a dangerous precedent of federal intrusion into local governance.
With a formal investigation into the DoD’s use of old protest imagery unlikely but public scrutiny intensifying, the clash between federal and state authorities appears far from over. The growing divide highlights the deep polarization in American politics and raises pressing questions about the ethical use of government-controlled media in shaping public opinion.
As protests continue and the presidential election approaches, the dispute between Gavin Newsom and the Trump administration may mark a pivotal moment in the national debate over truth, propaganda, and the role of the military in domestic affairs.
