Diplomatic tensions between the United States and Mexico heightened on Tuesday as U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem publicly accused Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum of encouraging protests in Los Angeles against the immigration raids spearheaded by the Trump administration. "Sheinbaum has been inciting more protests, and I condemn this; she shouldn't be promoting violent demonstrations like the ones we're witnessing. People have the right to peaceful protest, but the violence we're seeing is unacceptable and will not occur in the United States," Noem stated from the Oval Office, alongside President Trump.
The remarks came after President Trump responded with sarcasm to a question regarding Sheinbaum's stance, asserting that he too condemned the violence, "but I've already stopped it," referring to his decision to deploy 2,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines in California without Governor Gavin Newsom's approval.
President Sheinbaum swiftly responded via her official account on X (formerly Twitter), refuting Noem's allegations. "Moments ago, in response to a media question, the U.S. Homeland Security Secretary wrongly suggested that I encouraged violent protests in Los Angeles. This is absolutely false," Sheinbaum wrote.
She also shared her previous day's statement where she denounced acts of violence and reiterated her commitment to protecting Mexicans abroad, emphasizing that the solution to the migration crisis "is not through raids or violence," but rather through comprehensive immigration reform.
The Mexican government had already expressed "deep concern" over the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids over the weekend, which have resulted in numerous arrests in Los Angeles, many involving Mexican nationals.
The U.S. government's response has been labeled as excessive by activists and local authorities, who accuse Trump of unnecessarily escalating the conflict and using military force to suppress social discontent.
Key Questions on U.S.-Mexico Tensions Over Protests
What did Kristi Noem accuse Claudia Sheinbaum of?
Kristi Noem accused Claudia Sheinbaum of inciting protests in Los Angeles against immigration raids led by the Trump administration.
How did Claudia Sheinbaum respond to the allegations?
Claudia Sheinbaum denied the allegations, stating on X that it was absolutely false that she encouraged violent protests in Los Angeles.
What was President Trump's reaction to the situation?
President Trump sarcastically noted that he condemned the violence but had already stopped it by sending military forces to California.