“Rooftop Koreans”? Don Jr’s VIGILANTE Idea!
The son of the president escalated tensions by referencing violent imagery during LA immigration protests, triggering sharp rebukes and fresh legal conflicts.
At a Glance
Donald Trump Jr. reposted a meme captioned “Make Rooftop Koreans Great Again!” amid Los Angeles protests
The meme recalls the 1992 “Rooftop Koreans” who defended businesses with firearms during LA riots
The image included suggestions that armed Korean Americans shoot protesters, prompting criticism of incitement
The protests were triggered by ICE immigration raids and a National Guard deployment initiated by President Trump
California officials, including Governor Newsom and Mayor Bass, have pledged lawsuits, calling the Guard deployment unconstitutional
Echoes of ’92 Vigilantism
Donald Trump Jr. reposted a Truth Social meme on June 9 featuring an armed Korean American on a rooftop, captioned “Make Rooftop Koreans Great Again!”—a nod to the armed store owners during the 1992 LA riots. These individuals defended their businesses during a breakdown in police protection, creating a lasting cultural image of vigilant self-defense. Trump Jr.’s meme has sparked widespread backlash, with critics arguing that it encourages violence against protesters.
Federal Overreach Battleground
The protests ignited after ICE raids targeted undocumented workers in Los Angeles. By June 8, President Trump ordered 2,000 National Guard troops into the city without state approval, claiming to restore “law and order.” Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass called the deployment an “unconstitutional escalation,” warning it could provoke unnecessary conflict. Protests have intensified, with freeway blockades and clashes involving tear gas and rubber bullets.
Watch a report: Trump on LA Protests: See ‘Strong Law & Order’.
Political Fallout and Legal Counterpunches
Governor Newsom announced plans to sue the federal government over what he describes as a breach of California’s constitutional autonomy. Mayor Bass echoed the sentiment, denouncing the Guard deployment as “dangerous.” Civil rights groups, including the ACLU, have joined in, signaling legal challenges to both the deployment and the tone set by federal leadership.
Trump Jr.’s invocation of the “Rooftop Koreans” meme appears to reflect a broader strategy of portraying civil unrest as a call to arms—literally. While supporters argue this underscores the right to defend property, critics contend it fuels racial tensions and vigilante violence.
The episode reveals a high-stakes battleground of federal authority, civil resistance, and incendiary rhetoric. As lawsuits proceed and tensions simmer, the next chapter in Los Angeles may hinge on whether leaders cool the climate—or continue to ignite it.