Fetterman Criticizes Democrats Over LA Riots
Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman took to social media on Monday to express his disappointment with fellow Democrats for not denouncing the violent riots that occurred in Los Angeles after actions taken by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
In a post on X, Fetterman labeled the situation as “anarchy and true confusion,” stressing that his party risks losing its moral standing by failing to condemn such chaos explicitly. He expressed his concerns about the misrepresentation of free speech, peaceful protests, and immigration, stating, “What I see is disorder.” He added that the party loses credibility when it looks the other way on destruction and attacks against law enforcement.
Recently, President Donald Trump deployed the National Guard to Los Angeles after riots erupted following an ICE incident at a Home Depot. On Friday night, roughly 1,000 people surrounded federal buildings, attacked ICE agents, deflated vehicle tires, and caused significant damage to government property. This activity resulted in major traffic disruptions across several key urban routes.
Trump authorized the National Guard’s deployment to assist local law enforcement, warning California’s Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom that federal intervention would occur if order wasn’t restored quickly.
In response, California filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, contesting the National Guard’s deployment in Los Angeles. Attorney General Rob Bonta, alongside Newsom, argued that using California State Guard members as federal forces without the governor’s consent overstepped presidential authority.
Some Democrats criticized the federal response to the riots. California Representative Linda Sanchez described it as an “authoritarian flex,” asserting that such actions would not enhance public safety, especially as she believed most demonstrators were peaceful. Similarly, Representative Maxine Waters downplayed the violence in Los Angeles, claiming there was “no violence whatsoever,” even in light of footage showing a burning car and attacks on federal agents. She challenged statements made by Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McConnell regarding the level of violence.
