Quelling riots is about thinking ahead, being prepared. Governors, like presidents, must be ready to quell riots – especially when they seem in the offing. California was just turned upside down, as in 2020, 1992, and again in the 1960s. How governors and presidents respond either fan or put out violence.
In the 1960s, when California had a governor named Ronald Reagan, a dedicated conservative, already famous for his anti-Soviet, limited government stands, riots broke out. They started small, got bigger, and would have become society-stopping, had Reagan not stepped up.
What Reagan did in May 1969 was controversial at the time, but necessary – and serves as a lesson on how to turn riots off, especially in urban centers where enormous property damage can occur.
When anti-war, pro-leftism riots broke out in Berkeley, Reagan used multiple legal means available to a governor to settle them down, deterring future riots. He changed university leadership, which earned him the curse of outgoing liberals that he was “brutal, cruel, and asinine.”
Reagan was none of those things, but he went further. He had the California Highway Patrol intercede to keep the free flow of traffic, arresting those intent on stopping the city’s commerce.
Like Trump in 2025 and other presidents, Reagan used his authority to mobilize the National Guard in support of police, which at times seemed overwhelmed. While Reagan, as governor, deployed them under Title 32, and Trump did so under Title 10, both moves are legal and created deterrence.
Notably, while radicals at the time could not understand it, Reagan’s moves – to preserve public order, personal and property security, and restore a sense of “normal” – were incredibly popular.
In 1992, race riots tore Los Angeles apart, 60 dead, more than a billion dollars in property damage, a race-based upheaval pushed by organized anti-rule of law groups, could easily have widened.
Riot central was LA. When things took a turn for the worse, Republican Governor Pete Wilson asked for federal help. President George HW Bush mobilized 10,000 National Guardsmen, under Title 10, then US Marines from nearby to support police and quell the unrest. That act sent a bright signal.
Wind the clock forward to 2020, when other anti-rule of law groups – those disposed to violent riots – set up violence in 200 cities, causing law enforcement and National Guard to be deployed to settle things, Atlanta, DC, Minneapolis, New York, Chicago, Detroit, Kansas City, Seattle, Portland Oregon down to California. Only after the message was sent that rioting had to stop, did it.
Bottom line: Getting ahead of diseases or physical health conditions is what permits long life. Getting ahead of diseases in the body politic, deterring political violence, is the only way to stop the slide toward it from accelerating.
We are at a moment when urban protests could become riots again, often pushed these days by those paid or incentivized to push the limits. Trump was right – and so are governors who look ahead, make clear that political violence will not be allowed, and act swiftly to address it. Quelling riots is about thinking ahead, being prepared.
Robert Charles is a former Assistant Secretary of State under Colin Powell, former Reagan and Bush 41 White House staffer, attorney, and naval intelligence officer (USNR). He wrote “Narcotics and Terrorism” (2003), “Eagles and Evergreens” (2018), and is National Spokesman for AMAC. Robert Charles has also just released an uplifting new book, “Cherish America: Stories of Courage, Character, and Kindness” (Tower Publishing, 2024).
It would appear that those peaceful protests always turn violent when someone is fanning the flames. Paid protesters and those financing them appears to be a factor simply because they need a riot organizer to get things started. Once violence is ignited, the perpetrators somehow slither away to the next social event leaving opportunists to loot, damage and pillage. This is where those elected reveal who they actually are. Instead of addressing the lawlessness, they excuse it. Then the whole thing starts all over. It is refreshing that President Trump is calling out those officials and doing what they refused to do, enforce the law and protect the citizens.
Excellent history analysis. Forgetting history is something the democrats are good at (if they ever knew it). They bash Trump for stepping up to the plate and never acknowledge his home runs.
To quell (STOP RIOTS) BEFORE they get violent or come off the rails (blocking highways, streets, interfering with innocent peoples lives, etc), simply have an overwhelming presence of law enforcement (Swat and Riot Police armed, locked and loaded with rubber bullets, and police with live rounds just in case). Add K-9s and water cannons. All simply on stand by. BUT if IDIOTS seeing this stand-by presence still want to prove how STUPID and ‘tough’ they are and choose to step out of line, they are IMMEDIATELY STOPPED with a force (and pain) they will NEVER FORGET.
– Peaceful protesting, FINE.
– Block roads, become violent, etc. SLAM DUNK TIME.
Bottom line results – RIOTS QUELLED.
Justice is slowly coming into play
Name names of riotters, organz
Follow money
Arm selves
Use same weapons they use on cops
Bounty hunters for leaders
Imprison for 8 days
Arrest record on File
The intelligent way to deal with, to quell riots ,involves thinking ahead and being prepared — like with anything that requires proper management there is planning, organizing, then coordination of what is planned and organized so that scheduling things can be done right — having things in the right place at the right time. That is how good decisions are made and how good management is accomplished. The strategy involved I reckon would vary depending on who is rioting and where and how many people are involved. A comparison with hurricane forecasting comes to mind — gathering the meteorological information , determining the course of the storm, all matters that have to do with readiness in order minimize the damage connected to the storm. Courage , resourcefulness, thinking intelligently are required to deal with rioters as they are an enemy force regardless of how organized or unorganized they may be and the courage , resourcefulness, and intelligence of the ” good guys ” ,that is , the police ,the National Guard and others involved in defending law and order benefits by being Right good ideas RBC and the history of past riots is appropriate too.
I hope Maine will elect Robert Charles. He knows what to do.
Rioters are senseless mob, they riot for the sake of rioting nor for any cause, many in position to stop or prevent it egg them on assuring them they have cause and I understand your pain. These are not children but dangerous mob. There are laws to deal with the situation, use them and don’t apologize for it. All of them should be put in work groups to repair all the damages, shock therapy.
Last night, June 25th, a group of 250 rioters attacked ICE agents in Portland. Riot people shot fireworks & pointed strong lasers at ICE agents. When it was over, media says 5 people were arrested & then Noem said she would not put up with people attacking agents. This is a case where the ICE agents should be able to defend themselves even if that means shooting these thugs. These fireworks & lasers could have blinded ICE agents for life and they need to be stopped and taken down prior to storming ICE. We are too easy on these people that claim to be peaceful protestors & it must stop. When Trump pardoned the 1500 Jan 6 rioters did not send a good example of what he considers peaceful protestors.
Trump did not send a good message to rioters, when he pardoned +1500 Jan 6 rioters that tore up Capitol property & fought with capitol police! That is example is not a good example of how to back our boys in blue !