Vice President JD Vance visited Los Angeles on Friday, where he sharply criticized Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass for their stance against federal immigration raids. Vance claimed that their opposition is putting law enforcement officers at risk amid ongoing protests.
During his visit, Vance defended President Donald Trump’s decision to take control of California National Guard troops and send them to Los Angeles, a move that has sparked a legal dispute between state and federal officials. He described the recent unrest as a tragedy, stating that law enforcement officers were hindered in their duties due to the actions of local leaders.
“What happened here was a tragedy,” Vance told reporters. “You had people doing the simple job of enforcing the law, and you had rioters, egged on by the governor and the mayor, making it harder for them to do their job.”
Despite the criticism from Vance, both Newsom and Bass have urged protesters to remain peaceful, even as they condemned the immigration raids that have led to violence against law enforcement. Bass, who did not meet with the Vice President, dismissed his remarks as uninformed and accused him of wasting taxpayer money on what she called a political stunt.
“How dare you say that city officials encourage violence,” Bass said. “We kept the peace.”
Newsom took to social media to respond to Vance, particularly criticizing a moment during Vance’s remarks when he mistakenly referred to Senator Alex Padilla as "Jose." Padilla had been briefly detained by federal agents earlier in the week while trying to ask a question at a press conference.
Vance’s visit was not just a political statement; it coincided with a Republican National Committee fundraiser in Beverly Hills, where tickets were priced as high as $445,000. Upon arriving in Los Angeles, Vance toured the Federal Building Command Center and met with various federal, state, and local officials, including members of the Department of Defense and the FBI.
His comments about the protests were pointed. Vance referred to the unrest as “riots” and stated that the deployment of troops was necessary to restore order. He emphasized that the violence against law enforcement required a strong federal response.
The clash between state and federal authorities continues as California officials, led by Attorney General Rob Bonta, challenge the federal government’s control over the National Guard in court. The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals recently ruled to keep the troops under federal control while the matter is litigated.
Vance’s visit highlighted the ongoing tensions between local leaders and the federal government over immigration policy and law enforcement. Newsom’s office expressed disappointment over the lack of direct communication regarding Vance’s trip and reiterated their openness to collaboration.
In a video response, Newsom urged Vance to meet with victims of recent wildfires in California, emphasizing the need for federal support for disaster relief. This ongoing feud reflects deeper divisions over immigration and public safety in the state, as both sides continue to exchange barbs in the media and on social platforms.