Scoop: Cotton urges GOP senators to double down on fiery LA protests

• "Americans have a choice between Republicans' law & order vs. the Democrats' car-burning, illegal alien rioters," the email, obtained by Axios, continues.
• Republicans see a political opening: "So far, every Senate Democrat who has spoken out has backed the rioters..."

Zoom in: Republicans want to specifically target California Governor Gavin Newsom. The Cotton staffer encouraged Senate offices to paint Newsom as "the lead enabler of these riots."

• "What kind of governor blames police officers and the National Guard for 'inciting' this violence," Cotton wrote on X.
• Newsom is viewed as a likely formidable 2028 presidential candidate.

Republicans also see it as an opportunity to remind voters that a key part of their sweeping "one, big beautiful bill" involves providing significant resources to ICE.

• The conversation around the bill has largely been focused on tax and spending cuts.

Zoom out: President Trump deployed the National Guard over the weekend to help tamp down on the escalating protests — in spite of Newson's opposition. Trump has also threatened to arrest Newsom.

• Typically a state's governor has control over whether and when to call in the National Guard.
• The protests began in response to ICE's aggressive arrest and deportation operations.