President Donald Trump has mobilized the National Guard and Marines in Los Angeles, citing the belief that violent demonstrators are being paid. This claim lacks substantial evidence, as Trump and his allies have alleged without providing concrete proof. The idea of paid protesters has been a recurring theme in Trump’s rhetoric, often used to exaggerate unrest and justify a forceful federal response. Despite assertions from Trump and others, there is little to no current evidence supporting the existence of paid demonstrators inciting violence.

Some individuals, such as White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, have vaguely referenced the distribution of equipment to protesters but have not linked this to organized payment for violence. Claims by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri also lack solid evidence, pointing to Craigslist ads that were unrelated to the protests. Furthermore, efforts to tie activist groups to funding unrest have been met with skepticism and pushback.

Critics, including California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Senator Adam Schiff, have emphasized the importance of distinguishing between peaceful protesters and those engaging in criminal activities. They refute the notion of paid protesters and condemn Trump’s unsubstantiated claims as a tactic to sow chaos and deflect criticism.

Overall, Trump’s insistence on the existence of paid agitators appears to serve his agenda of delegitimizing opposition and justifying a heavy-handed response to protests. However, the lack of credible evidence raises concerns about the validity of these assertions and highlights a pattern of baseless allegations by the Trump administration.