Democrats and media outlets have been using the term ‘peaceful’ to describe the anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles, despite reports of violence, property destruction, and injured police officers. Law enforcement and some conservative commentators argue that the protests escalated into riots, with the Department of Homeland Security condemning the attacks on ICE officers and expressing concern over the scale of the unrest. President Trump sent in the National Guard over the weekend, sparking outrage from local Democrats who accuse him of inciting chaos and undermining local governance.
Senators Alex Padilla and Cory Booker, both Democrats from California and New Jersey respectively, have been vocal in their support for the protests, labeling the demonstrations as ‘peaceful’ and suggesting that President Trump’s administration is responsible for the unrest. ‘The vast majority of protesters and demonstrators are peaceful,’ Padilla said on MSNBC. ‘They’re passionate.’
Meanwhile, Rep. Nanette Barragán, a Democrat representing California’s 44th Congressional District, accused the Trump administration of targeting peaceful protests, stating on CNN’s ‘State of the Union’ program that ‘We are having an administration that’s targeting peaceful protests.’ These statements have sparked backlash from conservative media and politicians, who argue that the Democrats are downplaying the violence and chaos that has unfolded in the city.
The Department of Homeland Security released a statement on Saturday condemning the violence, noting that ‘Last night, over 1,000 protesters surrounded a federal law enforcement building and assaulted ICE law enforcement officers, slashed tires, defaced buildings, and taxpayer-funded property.’ The agency’s remarks underscore the gravity of the situation and suggest that the protests have transitioned from demonstrations into acts of organized sabotage.
President Trump’s decision to deploy the National Guard and Marines to quell the unrest has added to the controversy, with local Democrats accusing him of creating chaos and overstepping his authority. ‘Trump’s goal isn’t to keep Californians safe. His goal is to cause chaos, because chaos is good for Trump,’ Hillary Clinton wrote on X, highlighting the political polarization surrounding the issue.
Despite the claims of peace, the protests have resulted in several injuries to law enforcement officers, with dozens of arrests made as authorities worked to restore order. The situation has drawn national attention, with Fox News and other conservative outlets highlighting the discrepancy between the Democrats’ narrative and the reality of the violence and destruction. The incident has deepened the divide between political factions and raised questions about the role of federal intervention in local matters.