Vice President JD Vance visited Los Angeles on Friday, where he criticized California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. Vance claimed their opposition to federal immigration raids is putting law enforcement officers at risk. He made these remarks during a meeting with federal, state, and local officials.
Vance defended President Trump’s controversial decision to take control of California National Guard troops and deploy them in Los Angeles, a move that has sparked legal disputes between state and federal authorities. He described the situation as tragic, saying that law enforcement officers were doing their jobs while being hindered by protests that he attributed to the governor and mayor.
While Vance met with officials at the Federal Building Command Center, he labeled the protests as riots, asserting that they endangered police officers. He stated that the deployment of National Guard troops was necessary to restore order in the city.
Bass responded to Vance’s comments, saying he failed to understand Los Angeles as a city of immigrants. She accused him of wasting taxpayer money and claimed that city officials worked to maintain peace during the protests. Newsom also took to social media, criticizing Vance for mocking Senator Alex Padilla during his visit.
Vance’s trip coincided with a Republican National Committee fundraiser in Beverly Hills, where tickets reportedly cost up to $445,000. His visit included discussions with various law enforcement agencies, but reporters were barred from covering certain meetings due to classified information.
Tensions between California and the federal government have escalated over the control of the National Guard. A recent court ruling allowed Trump to maintain control of the troops while legal arguments continue. California Attorney General Rob Bonta has vowed to challenge this decision.
In a statement, the governor’s office expressed disappointment over the lack of direct engagement from the White House prior to Vance’s visit. Newsom later urged Vance to meet with victims of recent wildfires in California, emphasizing the need for federal disaster relief for affected communities.
As the situation unfolds, the clash between state and federal officials continues to highlight deep divisions over immigration policy and law enforcement practices in California.