Call for Testimony on LA Riots

Senator Bernie Moreno (R-OH) is urging that California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass be called to testify before Congress regarding recent riots sparked by federal immigration enforcement actions in the city.

The unrest included a group that took to Los Angeles Avenue, brandishing a Mexican flag, confronting law enforcement, setting vehicles on fire, and obstructing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations targeting undocumented immigrants.

In an effort to mitigate the chaos, President Donald Trump has dispatched the National Guard and various federal law enforcement agencies to Los Angeles. However, both Newsom and Bass have been directly affected by the turmoil.

“If there were no immigrant raids here, there wouldn’t be any of the obstacles that occurred last night,” Bass told CNN.

“I can say it’s peaceful now, but it’s uncertain when or where the next raid will happen. That’s concerning because the community here has a rapid response network. When they see ICE, they protest. It’s a recipe for unnecessary chaos.”

In a twist, Newsom has reached out to the Trump administration requesting National Guard assistance in Los Angeles, while also challenging the authority of Czar Thomas regarding the arrests made during the riots.

Moreno emphasized the importance of holding a Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee hearing on Tuesday, specifically to address the responses of Newsom and Bass to the riots.

“We have a governor and a mayor who claim the U.S. president is overstepping in protecting businesses and residents. Why are we not approaching this situation more seriously?” Moreno asked.

He suggested a need to examine how the actions of the Mayor of Los Angeles and the Governor of California will unfold in the coming years.