The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department faced backlash after a social media post expressing sympathy for Iranian victims of recent bombings. This post came just a day after the U.S. military struck three nuclear sites in Iran, a move that has drawn international attention and concern.
On Sunday, the department shared a message on platforms like X, Facebook, and Instagram, stating their “hearts go out” to the “victims” in Iran. The response was swift and critical, prompting the department to apologize later that evening. They described the original message as “offensive and inappropriate,” leading to its removal from X and significant edits on Facebook and Instagram.
The initial tweet mentioned that the department was monitoring the situation alongside local, state, and federal partners, though it did not specify any threats to Los Angeles County. In the edited versions, references to Iran were omitted, focusing instead on the department’s commitment to public safety.
The sheriff’s department acknowledged the error and clarified that the post did not reflect the views of Sheriff Robert G. Luna or the department itself. They emphasized their mission is to protect public safety and serve diverse communities, not to comment on foreign policy or military matters.
An internal review has been initiated to understand how the post was created and published, with plans to enhance social media oversight protocols. This incident has raised questions about the appropriateness of law enforcement agencies commenting on international events, especially those that can evoke strong public emotions.