Breaking: Senator Lee’s Treason Charge Call
On June 10, 2025, U.S. Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) ignited a firestorm by stating that those funding the ongoing Los Angeles riots should face treason charges, according to multiple posts on X. The riots, sparked by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids starting June 6, have led to violent clashes, vehicle burnings, and National Guard deployment. Lee’s provocative call, amplified by users like @RealPatrickWebb and @BasedMikeLee, targets unidentified entities allegedly bankrolling the unrest, which has resulted in over 200 arrests, per the Los Angeles Police Department.
Lee’s statement comes amid heightened tensions in President Donald Trump’s second term, marked by immigration crackdowns and a controversial mask ban at protests, as you previously noted. While some supporters echo Lee’s hardline stance, critics argue it’s an overreach, raising questions about free speech, legal definitions of treason, and political motives. This article explores the context, implications, and reactions to Lee’s call, situating it within the broader U.S. political landscape.
Context: Los Angeles Riots and Immigration Raids
The Los Angeles riots erupted on June 6, 2025, following ICE raids in sanctuary city neighborhoods, targeting undocumented immigrants. The Department of Homeland Security reports 118 arrests, with 75% of detainees having criminal convictions, per ICE data. Protesters, some waving Mexican flags, have clashed with police, setting vehicles ablaze and throwing rocks, per the Daily Mail. The unrest, spreading to New York and San Francisco, prompted Trump to deploy 2,000 National Guard troops and ban masks at protests, a move you supported in prior prompts.
Senator Lee, a conservative Republican known for his constitutionalist views, has framed the riots as a threat to national stability. His call for treason charges, reported by X users like @IanJaeger29 and @pr0ud_americans, suggests a belief that external or domestic actors are orchestrating the violence to undermine U.S. sovereignty. No evidence of specific funding sources has been publicly verified, but Lee’s rhetoric aligns with Trump’s narrative of “paid troublemakers,” per Truth Social posts.
Lee’s history of condemning mob violence, such as his 2020 Senate resolution against “mob mentality” following George Floyd protests, provides context for his stance. In 2020, he criticized violent protesters as “dimwitted” and called for prosecution, per the Deseret News, a position echoed in his current rhetoric.
[](https://www.deseret.com/utah/2020/7/2/21311472/george-floyd-protests-violence-mike-lee-police-senate-resolution/)
Legal Definition of Treason: Can It Apply?
Treason is narrowly defined in Article III, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution as “levying War against [the United States], or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort.” Conviction requires two witnesses to an overt act or a confession in open court. Legal scholars, per The Guardian, note that treason charges are rare, with fewer than 40 cases in U.S. history, mostly tied to wartime espionage or rebellion, like the Whiskey Rebellion of 1794.
Applying treason to riot funding is legally dubious, experts argue. Funding protests, even violent ones, does not typically constitute “levying war” or aiding a foreign enemy unless tied to a declared adversary, per Cornell Law School’s Legal Information Institute. Lee’s call may instead aim to invoke lesser charges, like seditious conspiracy, used in January 6 cases, which carries a 20-year sentence, per the Department of Justice.
Critics on X, like @LeftyLogic, argue Lee’s rhetoric inflames tensions without evidence, noting, “Treason? Show the receipts or it’s just political theater.” Without specific funding sources identified, Lee’s statement risks being dismissed as hyperbole, though it resonates with supporters wary of external agitators, as seen in posts by @Victoria00025.
[](https://x.com/Victoria00025/status/1932342511965790446)
Public and Political Reactions
Lee’s call for treason charges has polarized reactions. On X, Trump supporters like @IvankaNews51 and @Ravious101 rally behind Lee, with @IvankaNews51 asking, “Do you support this?” alongside a poll showing 78% approval among respondents. @pr0ud_americans frames it as a stand against “anti-ICE attacks,” linking to a news clip. These sentiments align with your previous support for Trump’s mask ban and frustration with protest violence, as expressed in your satirical post about border issues.
[](https://x.com/IvankaNews51/status/1932367817401147846)[](https://x.com/pr0ud_americans/status/1932395108588044389)Critics, including Democrats and civil liberties advocates, condemn Lee’s rhetoric. Senator Bernie Sanders, on CNN’s State of the Union, called it “reckless,” arguing it distracts from addressing root causes like immigration policy tensions, per Time. California Governor Gavin Newsom, who has clashed with Trump over the National Guard deployment, tweeted that Lee’s “treason talk” is a “dog whistle” to incite division, per Reuters. X user @ZeynabDay questioned Lee’s credibility, citing his past support for Trump’s election challenges, stating, “This guy’s no stranger to inflammatory claims.”
Lee’s history of controversial actions, such as his 2020 text messages with Mark Meadows urging Trump’s team to challenge the election, as reported by The Washington Post, fuels skepticism. Critics, including former Capitol Police officer Michael Fanone, accused Lee of opposing a January 6 investigation to conceal his role, per Rolling Stone, casting doubt on his motives today.
[](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/04/15/mike-lee-trump-2020-election/)[](https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/jan6-donald-trump-mike-lee-capitol-police-1340867/)
Political Context: Trump’s Second Term and GOP Dynamics
Lee’s statement aligns with Trump’s aggressive second-term agenda, including immigration raids, a travel ban on 10 countries, and the “Big Beautiful Bill,” a $5 trillion legislative package facing GOP resistance, per Fox News. Trump’s mask ban, announced June 8, and National Guard deployment, the first unrequested since 1992, reflect a law-and-order push, per Time. Lee’s treason rhetoric bolsters this narrative, appealing to a base frustrated by sanctuary cities and protest violence, as you expressed in prior prompts.
However, Lee’s stance risks alienating moderates within the GOP, such as Senators Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski, who oppose the spending bill and question federal overreach, per CNN. His call also contrasts with his past advocacy for criminal justice reform, like the First Step Act, which emphasized fairness, per the Deseret News, raising questions about consistency.
[](https://www.deseret.com/2019/1/9/20662910/how-a-salt-lake-city-drug-dealer-s-55-year-sentence-inspired-utah-sen-mike-lee-to-change-america-s-c/)Public sentiment is mixed, with Trump’s approval at 40% in April 2025, down from 47% in February, per Pew Research. Declines among Hispanics (27%) and Asian Americans (29%), per LA Times, reflect discontent with immigration policies, potentially exacerbated by Lee’s rhetoric.
Implications: Legal, Political, and Social
Legal: Lee’s call for treason charges is unlikely to result in prosecutions without evidence of funding tied to foreign enemies or overt acts of war. Seditious conspiracy or incitement charges are more plausible but require proof of intent, per the Department of Justice. The lack of identified funders, as noted by X skeptics, limits immediate action, but investigations could follow, per CBS News.
Political: Lee’s rhetoric strengthens his conservative credentials ahead of the 2026 midterms, appealing to Trump’s base, with 60% of Republicans favoring stricter immigration enforcement, per Pew Research. However, it risks deepening GOP fractures, as moderates distance themselves from inflammatory language, per CNN.
Social: The treason charge call could escalate tensions, deterring peaceful protests while fueling accusations of authoritarianism, as seen in X posts like @NoOneUnscripted. It may also embolden vigilante actions against perceived funders, raising safety concerns, per The Guardian.
Social Media’s Role in Amplifying the Controversy
X has been central to spreading Lee’s statement, with hashtags like #LATreason trending on June 10, 2025. Posts by @LasVegasMeansB1 and @RealPatrickWebb frame Lee’s call as a patriotic stand, garnering thousands of likes. Conversely, critics like @cwebbonline question Lee’s motives, linking to his January 6 texts, per Rolling Stone. X’s algorithm amplifies polarization, as seen in your prior prompts about protest violence and immigration.
[](https://x.com/LasVegasMeansB1/status/1932272202377998721)[](https://x.com/RealPatrickWebb/status/1932262704804200658)Mainstream media, including Fox News and MSNBC, have begun covering Lee’s statement, with conservative outlets praising his resolve and progressive ones warning of overreach. The rapid spread on X underscores its role in shaping narratives, often outpacing verified reporting.
Historical Parallels and Lee’s Record
Lee’s call echoes historical accusations of treason during civil unrest, such as against abolitionists in the 1850s or anti-war protesters during Vietnam, per Smithsonian Magazine. His 2020 resolution condemning “mob violence” during Black Lives Matter protests, blocked by Democrats, shows a pattern of targeting unrest, per the Deseret News.
[](https://www.deseret.com/utah/2020/7/2/21311472/george-floyd-protests-violence-mike-lee-police-senate-resolution/)However, Lee’s own actions during the 2020 election, where he texted Meadows about overturning results, per The Washington Post, complicate his moral authority. He later voted to certify Biden’s win, but critics argue his initial efforts border on the sedition he now condemns, per the Salt Lake Tribune.
[](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/04/15/mike-lee-trump-2020-election/)[](https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2022/12/23/jan-6-report-sheds-new-details/)
Looking Ahead: What’s Next?
Lee’s call for treason charges will likely face legal and political scrutiny. Investigations into riot funding, if pursued, could involve the FBI or Department of Justice, but require concrete evidence, per CBS News. The riots, with 300 National Guard troops on the ground and 1,700 more expected, per Reuters, may intensify, especially if funding allegations remain unproven.
Politically, Lee’s stance could bolster his 2026 reelection bid in conservative Utah, where he won 53% in 2022, per Wikipedia, but risks alienating moderates, per AP News. Democrats may seize on the controversy to mobilize voters, per CNN.
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Lee)[](https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-campaigns-utah-mike-lee-mitt-romney-d6ec17c00386377e8cb416df492ca863)Socially, the rhetoric could chill protests, as anonymity concerns grow post-mask ban, or escalate violence if supporters target alleged funders, per The Guardian. The 2026 midterms will test whether Lee’s hardline stance resonates or backfires in a polarized nation.
Conclusion
Senator Mike Lee’s June 10, 2025, call for treason charges against those allegedly funding the Los Angeles riots has thrust him into the center of a national debate over immigration, protest violence, and governance. While supporters, echoing your frustration with unrest, see it as a bold stand against chaos, critics view it as inflammatory overreach lacking evidence. With legal hurdles, political risks, and social tensions mounting, Lee’s statement reflects the deep divides defining Trump’s second term. As the U.S. navigates this crisis, the outcome—whether accountability or escalation—will shape the nation’s path toward the 2026 midterms and beyond.