California GOP Criticizes Newsom and Bass Over Riots Amid Trump Immigration Crackdown

Los Angeles has erupted in unrest this weekend as riots against the Trump administration’s immigration raids have gripped the city, with widespread violence reported and political blame intensifying across state lines. The situation escalated rapidly after federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers began executing deportation orders on Friday in the city, designated a "sanctuary" for undocumented immigrants since last November. The move has sparked fierce protests, counter-statements from Democratic leaders, and sharp criticism from state Republicans.

As federal agents swept through multiple neighborhoods, demonstrations quickly turned violent. The Los Angeles Police Department declared an unlawful assembly Friday evening and issued a city-wide tactical alert as rioters attacked law enforcement officers, slashed tires, and vandalized buildings. According to the Department of Homeland Security, more than 1,000 protestors surrounded a federal building, leading to a 413% increase in assaults against ICE officers compared to previous months. In several incidents, ICE agents and their family members were reportedly doxxed and targeted online.

Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass both condemned the raids, calling them “chaotic and reckless,” and denounced what they described as tactics that sow fear in immigrant communities. In an official statement, Mayor Bass affirmed her commitment to protecting the city’s immigrant population, stating, "As Mayor of a proud city of immigrants, who contribute to our city in so many ways, I am deeply angered by what has taken place. These tactics sow terror in our communities and disrupt basic principles of safety in our city. We will not stand for this." Governor Newsom echoed these concerns, saying, "Donald Trump’s chaos is eroding trust, tearing families apart, and undermining the workers and industries that power America’s economy."

The responses from California’s Democratic leadership have drawn sharp rebuke from Republicans at the local and national level. Republican Congressman Darrell Issa accused Newsom and Bass of allowing the city to fall into disorder, while GOP figures like Rep. Ken Calvert and Tom McClintock lambasted the state’s policies as openly defiant of federal law. Social media platforms became battlegrounds for heated exchanges, with some conservative voices referring to California's leadership as "feckless" and "unqualified," and accusing them of siding with "illegal aliens, including hardened criminals, against its own citizens."

Amid escalating violence, President Trump authorized the deployment of 2,000 National Guardsmen to Paramount, California, on Saturday to help restore order. He issued a stern warning to state officials, vowing that "the Federal Government will step in and solve the problem, RIOTS & LOOTERS, the way it should be solved!!!" Federal officials have made it clear that attacks on law enforcement will not be tolerated, with acting ICE Director Todd Lyons stating, "These violent rioters will be held accountable if they harm federal officers, and make no mistake, ICE will continue to enforce our nation's immigration laws and arrest criminal illegal aliens." FBI Director Kash Patel further pledged that individuals assaulting officials would face prosecution and jail time.

Democratic lawmakers in California have intensified their defense of undocumented immigrants, with some, including Rep. Norma Torres, taking to social media to direct anger toward federal agencies. Meanwhile, local and federal law enforcement remain on high alert as looting, arson, and clashes with officers continued into Sunday morning. Viral videos circulating online depict scenes of chaos throughout Los Angeles, including property destruction and injuries sustained by both protesters and law enforcement.

As the crisis unfolds, the finger-pointing between California’s Democratic leadership, Republican critics, and the Trump administration has heightened political tensions nationwide. Both sides are unwavering in their stances—Democrats decrying what they see as unjust federal overreach and Republicans demanding stricter law enforcement and accountability from state officials. With National Guard troops now on the ground and calls for order amplifying, Los Angeles faces ongoing uncertainty over when peace will return to its streets.