James Comer, the chairman of the House Oversight Committee, has initiated an inquiry into California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, particularly regarding recent protests in the city linked to President Trump’s immigration policies.
According to Rep. Clay Higgins, who leads the Federal Law Enforcement Subcommittee, local and state law enforcement were reportedly involved in the protests. However, he noted that police struggled to contain the unrest in Los Angeles prior to the arrival of the National Guard. In a letter addressed to the two California Democrats, he stated that their sanctuary policies hinder collaboration with local and federal immigration agencies.
“You’ve been clear about your intent to oppose federal efforts and protect individuals regardless of their immigration status, criminal history, or views that may incite unrest,” he wrote.
By late June, two House Republicans requested that Newsom and Bass provide all documents and communications related to the protests, involving both state and local law enforcement, as well as federal agencies.
The committee is also seeking all records and communications, including videos and dispatch logs related to weapons utilized by protesters, which reportedly included items like rocks and cinder blocks.
This investigation follows a separate inquiry led by Senator Josh Hawley, who is looking into potential funding of the Los Angeles protests by local nonprofits.
Hawley asked for the financial records and internal communications of the Coalition on Humanitarian Immigration Rights (Chirla) in connection with allegations that it was inciting disruptions in California.
In response, Newsom, Bass, and other Democrats have pushed back against Republican claims about the unrest in Los Angeles, arguing that Trump’s actions, such as deportation efforts and the deployment of National Guard troops, have contributed to the violence.
