NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas - Sunday, June 8, 2025

Episode Date: June 9, 2025

National Guard amid L.A. protests; Multiple people injured after skydiving plane crash in Tennessee; At least 2 people killed as storms push through South; and more on tonight’s broadcast.

Breaking tonight the National Guard on the ground in Los Angeles with the president pledging a crackdown on protests Tensions rising with the city of LA now on tactical alert according to police as hundreds of National Guard troops line up Deploying what looked like tear gas at crowds protesting immigration raids California's governor accusing President Trump of manufacturing a, as the president says he's not backing down. We're going to have troops everywhere. We're not going to let this happen to our country. And on the ground?

We've just felt tear gas being deployed. Our correspondent at the scene, just in, a skydiving plane crashing in Tennessee, nearly splitting in half with at least 20 people on board several hurt the latest on the investigation Another dangerous weather weekend with millions in the storm zone. Look at this thunderstorm in New Mexico You're about to see and in Missouri tornado destruction with the worst still on the way President Trump's travel ban set to take effect just hours from now. Why this time it could be harder for critics to challenge in court. Israel now pledging to stop climate activist Greta Thunberg as she sails on an aid boat to Gaza.

The dramatic rescue after this boat burst into flames. Look at that, at least 22 people taken to the hospital. Why intoxication may be to blame. Countdown to the World Cup, what officials are doing to get ready one year out and gearing up for a lot of firsts. The runaway zebra that captivated the internet finally captured. And there's good news tonight about the heart

that helped two people heal, giving this man a second chance at life. This is NBC Nightly News with Hallie Jackson. Good evening. We are coming on the air with extraordinary images out of Los Angeles tonight. Hundreds of National Guard troops now on the ground, deployed by President Trump, even though state leaders say they didn't ask for them and don't want them there. You see members of the National Guard with weapons, with body shields and tear gas canisters. All as protesters gather for day three of demonstrations against federal immigration

rates. Late tonight, President Trump not ruling out going even further in the days to come. But California's governor pushing back hard, saying the president's hoping for chaos to justify more crackdowns, telling protesters not to give him what he wants. We've got team coverage tonight, starting with our Steve Patterson on the ground near those demonstrations. Hallie, just moments ago, Governor Newsom asked the Trump administration to officially rescind the order to federalize the National Guard

on the ground. Meanwhile, this rally continues to pop off. LAPD declaring it unlawful, and they're making arrests. Tonight, protesters and law enforcement officials squaring off after days of raids, riots and demonstrations. And a rare move by President Trump mobilizing 2000 California National Guard troops against the will of the state's governor. Overnight another major flashpoint in front of the Federal Detention Center where undocumented immigrants captured

by ICE are being held. In nearby Com in nearby Compton chaos protests there dissolving into lawless this demonstrators upending roadblocks setting up fireworks. Well a small group of looters broke into a gas station. These protests followed a day of skirmishes between authorities and protesters outside of a home depot. Law enforcement firing tear gas and non-lethal rounds into several crowds. I couldn't see who was shooting but they were trying to aim like right at me which is like it's very scary.

Sheriff Robert Luna saying his deputies only acted as peacekeepers and didn't assist with any federal action. We will protect your right to peacefully protest but we cannot and will not tolerate violence or destruction of property. Today, Governor Gavin Newsom accused President Trump of attempting to manufacture a crisis by mobilizing the National Guard, adding he's

hoping for chaos so he can justify more crackdowns, more fear, more control. Trump's borders are Tom Homan defended the move to NBC's Jacob Soboroff and says about 150 undocumented immigrants have been detained in the last few days. We're not just protecting law enforcement, we're protecting the general public. Democratic leaders want to turn their back on public safety, they can. Tonight, tensions reaching a boiling point as more troops hit the ground.

Steve Patterson reporting in Los Angeles and here in Washington and beyond, new concern from critics over the president's tactics with this federal deployment. Our Gabe Gutierrez reports. With the National Guard troops now on the ground in LA, tonight President Trump is defending their deployment. Well, we're going to have troops everywhere. We're not going to let this happen to our country. We're not going to let our country be torn apart.

The president calling Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass incompetent, while Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth says that active duty Marines at Camp Pendleton are on high alert and could be mobilized if the violence continues. One of our core principles is maintaining peace through strength.

We do that on foreign affairs and domestic affairs as well. I don't think that's heavy handed. Late today on his way to Camp David, the president saying he personally spoke with Governor Newsom days ago by phone and threatened to send in the troops once he saw demonstrators throwing objects and spitting on officers. We hit. Nobody's gonna spit on our police officers. Nobody's going to spit on our military. Democrats slamming the deployment, arguing troops are an unnecessary escalation.

For the president to do this, when it wasn't requested, breaking with generations of tradition is only going to incite the situation and make things worse. This is the first time since 1965 in Alabama, the civil rights era, that a president has activated a state's national guard force without a request from that state's governor. We'll send whatever we need to make sure that it's law and order.

Gabe Gutierrez is joining us now. And Gabe, the president is not ruling out invoking something called the Insurrection Act. It's rarely used, which would take all of this a step further. Yes, Hallie, the Insurrection Act is an 18th century wartime law that authorizes the president to deploy military forces inside the U.S. during times of rebellion. He has not invoked it yet. Instead, he's using another statute that allows the president to federalize the National Guard

under certain circumstances. Still, there are many legal questions swirling around all of this, Hallie. And much more to watch. Gabe Gutierrez, thank you. Several people are hurt tonight after a small skydiving plane crashed in Tennessee with 20 people on board. Adrienne Broadus is following those developments for us.

Adrienne, good evening. Hallie, good evening to you. And just moments ago, we learned at least one person is in critical condition. I want you to take a look at your screen. These are the images of the aftermath of that plane crash. You can see the wing is bent and the tail section of the plane severely damaged. You also see first responders there on the scene as that plane is nose down in a grassy

area. The small skydiving aircraft departed the Tullahoma Regional Airport, which is about 75 miles southeast of Nashville at 12.30 p.m. local time earlier today. It crashed shortly after taking off. You see more pictures there. There were 20 passengers aboard, including crew. At least three people were airlifted for medical

treatment. Another person was taken to a local hospital by ambulance, and that is according to local police there on the ground. State troopers, we know, helped local first responders treat some of the people on site. Authorities have not released the ages of the passengers, but say most walked away with minor injuries. And as of right now, there were no fatalities. Of course, the FAA will investigate this crash. If you have any information about the passengers, you are encouraged to check with local authorities. And just moments ago, we did receive an update, I'm looking at it here, from a spokesperson with Vanderbilt

University Hospital, confirming they have three to four patients who were involved in that crash. Hallie Adrian brought us. Thank you. Dangerous weather tonight, threatening millions of people across the south and east in what could be yet another round of deadly and destructive storms. Ryan Chandler reports from Dallas tonight, a severe storm system churning out at least one tornado at the Oklahoma-Texas border. With huge swaths of the U.S. in the danger zone.

During a weekend of wild weather. Oh my gosh! An astonishing supercell in New Mexico, turning the sky dark. And this tornado touching down in Missouri, spinning 105 mile per hour winds for nearly five miles, damaging dozens of buildings and downing trees and power lines. The string of storms turning deadly since yesterday, Georgia's governor says one person died due to severe weather there.

Another death confirmed in Mississippi. And in Boston today, an eerie haze as smoke from Canadian wildfires blankets parts of New England. Chief meteorologist Rick Mitchell with our NBC station in Dallas says the worst weather could come to parts of Oklahoma and Texas in the middle of the night

and that could be more dangerous. It's those people to go to bed at 9.30 and it's doing nothing and then all of a sudden bam you know a tree goes through a window wakes him up those are the folks that you know I have concern. Ryan Chandler is joining us now from Dallas and Ryan even after tonight places farther East will see some intense weather too. That's right how the risk continues into Monday. Some 40 million people from Atlanta to Pittsburgh could be at risk for wind gusts up to 65 miles an hour.

Hallie? Brian Chandler, thank you. The countdown now just hours away from President Trump's controversial travel ban going into effect at midnight. Aaron Gilchrist has more on what to expect and who it will affect. Tonight, the Trump administration preparing to block potentially tens of thousands from entering the United States.

At midnight, a new ban on travelers from 12 mostly African, Asian, and Caribbean countries goes into effect. Nationals from seven additional countries will see new limits too. Why now? I can say that it can't come soon enough, frankly. We want to keep bad people out of our country.

President Trump announced the ban last week, citing the need to protect citizens from terrorist attacks and other national security or public safety threats. But human rights organizations like Amnesty International have blasted what they call a blanket ban that constitutes racial discrimination under international human rights law. The leader of this Islamic Center in Detroit says anxiety is rippling through immigrant communities. It has separated families. It has caused real pain. The impending ban leaving many, including international students at American colleges and those with ties

in the US. feeling pressured. It's better to be safe than sorry, this Havana resident told us about returning to the U.S. earlier than planned. And while travelers flock to airports, humanitarian organizations are loudly sounding the alarm about the band's potentially deadly consequences. Our waiting list right now has over 300 children and young adults. Owen Robinson's International Cardiac Alliance had plans to bring this eight-year-old Haitian girl to Ohio to treat two heart defects. Every single surgical slot that we lose in the United States means that a child is going to die of heart disease.

A young girl and other children like her now in limbo. Erin Gilchrist is joining us now from the Atlanta airport and Erin, the travel ban in the president's first term faced legal challenges almost right away. It seems this time around the administration tried to learn from that. Yeah, Hallie, we haven't seen any legal challenges just yet. And this time around the Trump administration has really taken care to tie this ban to specific national security concerns. For example, saying that

Sudan and Somalia have inadequate screening and vetting measures in place for travelers from those places. Ali? Erin Gilchrist in Atlanta, thank you. Overseas tonight, a brewing international showdown potentially, with Israeli officials promising to stop an aid boat with climate activist Greta Thunberg on board from reaching Gaza as soon as tonight. Our Claudio Lavanga is tracking the movements there. Claudio, good evening.

That's right, Holly. Israel's defense minister vowed to stop the boat and order Thunberg and the rest of the crew to turn back. But despite that warning, the activists say they are hoping to reach Gaza as early as tonight to deliver that humanitarian aid and to raise awareness of the humanitarian crisis they say is developing in Gaza where people have been scrambling for food. In the meantime Israeli media reporting that a group of private Israeli citizens are organizing a counter flotilla with a yacht with about ten people they say will accompany a Thunberg's boat in protest against their attempt to reach Gaza.

While in the meantime, the IDF said that they will enforce the naval blockade on Gaza and say they are ready for a whole wide range of scenarios, Holly. Claudia Levanga, thank you. Still ahead tonight, a dramatic scene in New York. At least 22 people hospitalized after swimming for their lives

when a boat burst into flames by a man is now facing charges. New charges tonight after a dramatic boat fire in New York sent at least 22 people to the hospital. Maya Eaglin has the details. Terrifying moments as a boat burst into flames. 33 year-old Joshua Brito now charged with reckless endangerment and driving while intoxicated in connection with the incident. The chaos sending frightening passengers scrambling. First responders arrived to the scene. Oh my God look as plumes of smoke filled the air.

We knew we were going to have a high patient count when we once we got on scene. According to authorities, at least 22 people were transported to local hospitals, one with serious injuries. I saw a very, very heavy black stack of smoke coming and that's was so scary that I thought the whole heart island was on fire. I knew it was something pretty serious and I heard that it was a boat that was on fire with injuries. Rescue crews rushed to reach the passengers. Officials say most of them had to swim all the way over there onto heart island before crews were able to rescue them and bring them back here to city island.

Tonight, the investigation remains ongoing as the NYPD and us Coast Guard try to determine what caused the dangerous fire my England NBC News, New York. We are back in a moment with much more including an update that is part in the pun truly wild where this zebra on the loose for a week finally ended up. And the countdown to the World Cup, one year out, what's happening behind the scenes

to get ready for this global sensation. Back now with an update to a story that captivated the internet. Take a look at this, that missing runaway zebra getting airlifted back to his home in Tennessee. You don't see that every day. This missing pet was on the loose for a week and captivated the internet,

but Ed is now safely back home after being spotted in a pasture near a highway. The countdown is on. One year out from one of the biggest sports spectacles on the planet, the World Cup, with the US, Canada, and Mexico set to host next summer. Preparations now in full swing for a tournament full of firsts. Jesse Kirsch has our sneak peek.

In just over a year, North America will be the heartbeat of a global party like we've never seen before. The United States, Canada, and Mexico are co-hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the highly anticipated soccer tournament featuring men's national teams from all around the globe. The World Cup comes every 4 years and while recent ones have featured 32 teams next summer's World Cup is expanding to 48 teams all 3 host nations are automatically in. And after more than a month of competition across 16 cities

there will be one last match the World Cup final being played right here just outside the Big Apple with the world watching. You're out. How busy are things are things are getting kind of crazy. Alex lasry is the CEO of the New York, New Jersey FIFA World Cup host committee helping make sure the final and 7 other matches at MetLife Stadium run smoothly.

Lasries also focused on giving tourists a reason to explore in between kickoffs. We're expecting millions of people from all over the world to be coming to New York, New Jersey we're expecting 2 to 3 billion dollars of economic impact for the region. There's also the potential for massive TV viewership including on NBC universals Telemundo and Peacock. FIFA says the 2022 World Cup final match alone

had around 1.5 billion viewers. That's more than seven times this year's Super Bowl viewership. Around the world, the beautiful game is practically religion, but the US has been playing catch-up. The last Men's World Cup hosted here in 1994 led to the establishment of MLS, which now features the likes of Lionel Messi.

I think this can take soccer to the next level here in the United States and kind of reach that next generation of athlete who's looking for to be a part of something special. The goal? Thrilling and inspiring the world in our own backyard. Jesse Kirsch, NBC News, East Rutherford, New Jersey. The goal? Thrilling and inspiring the world in our own backyard. Jesse Kirsch, NBC News, East Rutherford, New Jersey. When we come back, there's good news tonight about how one heart helped two people heal and the special bond that will never be broken. There's good news tonight about the miracle that helped one mom heal and gave one man

a second chance at life. It's a moment years in the making. That's April Johnson Heath and Valence Sams meeting for the very first time on the day they had been waiting for. A mother's heartbreak turned to joy thanks to a new chance at life. Alec has just always been the sweetest kid. April's son Alec was just 21 years old, serving in the military when he died in an off-duty accident. He just had a big heart.

Now he's got a big heart. Across the country, Valence was in the hospital in treatment for an autoimmune disorder that severely damaged major organs. My heart was less than 10%. The liver is filling the kidneys been fighting for a whole decade life was hard. His only chance to live a triple organ transplant I was

praying every day for a miracle that miracle came from Alec an organ donor and a perfect match. Doctor Nicholas this and was one of the surgeons at Cedars Sinai Hospital in California. It's incredibly rare across this huge nation now 300 million people this is an event that happens 2 or 3 times per year and I would say very much a miracle. After 20 hours balances surgery was a success. The day I woke up from the

surgery is like I had this aching urine, but he wasn't alone. April felt it too. I was just like, God, I just want to hear back from one of the recipients. And I was like, but it'd be really extra special if it be the one with his heart. Those prayers answered on their first phone call on Alex birthday. There was crying, there was laughing. We talked for over an hour. Then on the two year anniversary of his surgery, Valens flew to Alabama to meet April in person.

It's good to see you. It's so good to see you. He was welcomed by April's family, and for her, a chance to feel close to her son. You ready for this? Mm-hmm. Okay. Okay. And hear the sound of that heartbeat one more time. to feel close to her son ready for this.

And hear the sound of that heartbeat one more time. Now for balance a second chance at life and with that a sense of responsibility. So I can do is painting forward. With me paying it forward it's and it comes to me helping people and giving back and giving more selfless acts. I have a lot to live for and a lot to live up to. And a lot to look forward to.

That's Nightly News for this Sunday. Tom will be back tomorrow. I'm Hallie Jackson. For all of us here at NBC, thanks for watching and have a great week.