Recent events in Los Angeles have been chaotic—confusion, crime, and a lot of unrest. There were rocks thrown at police, cars set ablaze, small businesses vandalized, and graffiti littered across town. It felt like a surreal scene with flags flying high, a mix of American, Mexican, and Palestinian symbols against a backdrop of turmoil.
This chaos seemed entirely avoidable. Had I been in charge, I believe it could have been managed better. Let’s break it down.
For starters, the ongoing conflict over immigration enforcement by ICE is, in many ways, counterproductive. My friend, Borderland Tom Homan, often points out that a lack of cooperation with ICE tends to create an environment of fear among immigrants. If local and state law enforcement worked alongside ICE instead of against it, the focus could shift to removing those with valid deportation orders. There’s an established process for this, one that some on the left insist on maintaining. This kind of collaboration could happen quietly and within the bounds of the law, much like in other states.
However, this isn’t California, where certain activist groups seem to have a strong influence over local governance. From Governor Gavin Newsom to Mayor Karen Bass, there’s a tendency to distance themselves from federal enforcement instead of seeking collaboration. Their statements on social media often reveal a disappointing prioritization of rhetoric over decisive action.
If there was ever a moment to take charge, it was when radical agitators (some of whom are funded by taxpayer money) began creating disturbances. Ignoring these issues allows them to snowball. Newsom, in particular, has claimed that Trump’s intervention escalated these problems, leading to the disturbing scenes that have unfolded in America’s second-largest city.
Contrary to what many might think, these recent riots are indicative of a deeper neglect stemming from a single-party rule that has persisted for 15 years. There’s this skewed sense of morality; those who engage in wrongdoing often seem to go unpunished, while those following the rules suffer consequences.
Looking back at other recent incidents, it’s clear that law enforcement often stands by as chaos unfolds. For instance, there was a wild rooftop party that got out of hand, leading to rampant vandalism and destruction of property. Police seemed to do very little; no arrests were made.
There’s a worrying belief among some that they can act boldly without repercussions. And, frankly, they’re not entirely wrong. It appears that in California, the government seems more focused on chasing after the innocent than addressing the actual criminals.
This all shifts if I’m elected in 2026.
The chaos in Los Angeles illustrates a troubling trend tied to prolonged Democratic rule, with an inversion of morality where wrongdoers often get off easy while the law-abiding face harsh penalties.
Even if change is slow, we’ll use the “sanctuary” laws in California to work with federal officials to enforce the laws effectively. When states like California turn their backs on cooperation, it’s the most vulnerable communities that suffer the most from crime.
I stand firmly with law enforcement and want to make it known: anyone attacking police officers will face severe consequences. I won’t tolerate the breakdown of law and order that seems to be becoming the norm in California. Those who riot will be held accountable because society deserves that assurance and deterrent.
This situation is about much more than immigration; it’s about the rule of law. Do we choose to prioritize community protection or succumb to chaos?
Under my watch, California will return to being a place of law and order. Safety and sanity will be the goal. We must support those in uniform who risk their lives for our safety every day.
There have been enough excuses, enough chaos. If I were governor, this wouldn’t be happening. If Californians allow me the privilege of serving them, I will ensure it doesn’t occur again.
Steve Hilton is a Republican running for governor of California. He was previously a Senior Policy and Strategic Advisor to former British Prime Minister David Cameron and hosted Fox News’ “The Next Revolution.”
