GOP Rep. Darrell Issa calls for a congressional investigation into local law enforcement’s delayed response to anti-ICE riots in Los Angeles, challenging Democratic officials’ characterization of the events and their handling of the situation.
At a Glance
- Rep. Issa criticizes Democratic officials for their response to anti-ICE riots, claiming a 2-hour delay in LAPD assistance to ICE agents
- LAPD disputes the delay claim, stating response took 40 minutes due to traffic conditions
- Sen. John Fetterman broke with party lines, describing the situation as “anarchy and true chaos”
- Gov. Newsom accuses Trump of overreach in ICE operations, claiming he’s arresting non-violent immigrants
- Issa supports Trump’s decision to mobilize the National Guard and argues the riots fit the definition of “insurrection”
Republicans Demand Accountability for Riot Response
California Republican Rep. Darrell Issa is leading calls for a congressional investigation into local law enforcement’s response to anti-ICE riots in Los Angeles. Issa specifically highlights what he describes as a troubling two-hour delay in the Los Angeles Police Department’s response to assist ICE agents who were under threat during the unrest. This claim stands in stark contrast to the LAPD’s official statement, which maintains their response took approximately 40 minutes due to traffic congestion in the area, revealing significant discrepancies in how both sides are framing the events.
Issa has publicly disputed Democratic claims that the protests were “mostly peaceful,” pointing to video evidence that he says contradicts this characterization. The congressman has been vocal in his support for former President Trump’s decision to mobilize the National Guard in response to the situation, framing it as a necessary intervention when local officials failed to maintain order. This positioning aligns with broader Republican messaging that Democratic leadership in California has been ineffective in handling public safety concerns.
Democratic Responses and Internal Dissent
California Governor Gavin Newsom has pushed back against Republican criticism, accusing Trump of federal overreach in ICE operations and claiming the former president’s actions are traumatizing communities throughout the state. Newsom has escalated his rhetoric by warning that Trump’s approach threatens democracy nationwide, characterizing the immigration enforcement actions as going beyond stated intentions by targeting non-violent immigrants. These comments reflect the governor’s ongoing political opposition to Trump’s immigration policies and enforcement strategies.
However, not all Democrats have maintained party unity in their response to the riots. Senator John Fetterman notably broke with many in his party by criticizing fellow Democrats for not adequately condemning the violence. Fetterman described the situation in Los Angeles as “anarchy and true chaos,” language that stands in stark contrast to the more measured terminology used by many of his Democratic colleagues. This internal dissent highlights the challenges Democrats face in crafting a unified message on issues of public safety and protest response.
Competing Narratives and Definitions
A central point of contention in the political battle over the Los Angeles riots concerns terminology and framing. Rep. Issa has argued that the events in Los Angeles fit the definition of an “insurrection,” deliberately invoking language typically used by Democrats to describe the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot. This rhetorical move attempts to highlight what Republicans perceive as a double standard in how political violence is characterized based on its targets and perpetrators.
Senator Dick Durbin has claimed he has “never heard Democrats call LA riots ‘peaceful,'” condemning violence in both the Capitol and Los Angeles incidents. However, critics have pointed out that some Democratic officials initially described the protests as “peaceful” before they escalated into property destruction, looting, and violence that resulted in officer injuries and dozens of arrests. The factual timeline indicates that while the protests may have begun peacefully, they ultimately required Mayor Karen Bass to institute a citywide curfew to restore order.
Political Implications
The ongoing dispute over the characterization and response to the Los Angeles riots reflects broader political dynamics between Republicans and Democrats on issues of law enforcement, immigration, and public safety. For Republicans, the situation provides an opportunity to portray Democratic leadership as ineffective on public safety and inconsistent in their condemnation of political violence. For many Democrats, the focus remains on criticizing what they view as aggressive immigration enforcement tactics while attempting to maintain credibility on law and order issues.
As both parties position themselves ahead of upcoming elections, the contrasting narratives surrounding the Los Angeles riots exemplify how political messaging can shape public perception of events. Rep. Issa’s calls for investigation and Gov. Newsom’s accusations against Trump represent competing efforts to control the political fallout from these events, with each side attempting to frame the situation in terms most favorable to their broader political objectives and values.