Republican Congressman Darrell Issa has launched a sharp critique of California Democratic leaders for their response to anti-ICE riots in Los Angeles, calling for a congressional investigation into the delays in police support for ICE agents during an attack. Issa accused Democratic officials of downplaying the incidents, blaming President Trump for exacerbating the situation, and failing to address the underlying issues of crime and illegal immigration. He argued that the delayed police response to the ICE assault justified Trump’s decision to deploy the National Guard, and criticized Democrats for not using the term ‘insurrection’ to describe the ongoing riots despite their similarity to the January 6th events. Issa also pointed out the discrepancy between Democratic rhetoric and the visible evidence of violence and destruction on the ground, arguing that video footage will inevitably reveal the flaws in their approach. Meanwhile, California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass have condemned Trump’s actions, claiming his use of the National Guard is causing unnecessary trauma to communities and undermining democratic processes.
Issa, representing California’s 48th Congressional District, has been vocal about the need for accountability in the handling of the riots. He criticized the Democratic narrative that the majority of the anti-ICE demonstrations were peaceful, arguing that the violence and destruction observed on the ground contradicts this. Issa pointed to the delayed response by LAPD to an ICE assault as a critical factor that justified the president’s intervention. He stated that the LAPD’s claim of a 40-minute response time was inconsistent with the accounts of ICE agents who waited two hours before receiving assistance. This delay, Issa argued, created a situation where the National Guard’s involvement became necessary to protect ICE agents.
Issa also expressed frustration with the use of the term ‘insurrection’ by Democrats to describe the events in Washington, D.C., on January 6th, but not the ongoing riots in Los Angeles. He argued that the LA riots fit the very definition of insurrection, given the direct assaults on property and law enforcement, and the involvement of individuals who were already in jail for serious crimes. Issa emphasized that the actions of the rioters were not merely about immigration but were rooted in criminal behavior, which should be addressed through the legal system rather than through protest. He called upon Democrats to take responsibility for the failures in their response, as the public would ultimately see the video evidence of the chaos that took place.
Newsom and Bass have responded to Issa’s criticisms by accusing Trump of overreach. Newsom claimed that Trump’s use of the National Guard is causing unnecessary trauma to communities, arresting individuals for low-level offenses such as dishwashing and gardening. He argued that this represents weakness masquerading as strength and that it undermines the democratic process. Meanwhile, Bass has also condemned Trump’s actions, asserting that the National Guard’s involvement is creating a sense of fear and instability in the city. Both officials have framed the situation as a broader attack on democracy, with Trump using the National Guard as a tool to suppress dissent and undermine local governance.
Despite the criticism, Issa remains supportive of Trump’s actions, praising him for maintaining control of the situation and preventing a recurrence of the chaos seen during the 2020 riots, where multiple cities faced widespread violence and significant damage. Issa warned that without decisive action, there is a risk of similar events occurring in other cities. He called for a renewed focus on addressing crime, illegal immigration, and the protection of law enforcement and ICE agents, emphasizing that these issues require a strong and consistent response from all levels of government.