Harris Faces Backlash Over 'Appalling' LA ICE Raids Statement Blaming Trump: Critics Say 'The Country Dodged a Bullet'

Former Vice President Kamala Harris faced an onslaught of criticism from prominent conservatives and Republican officials after her recent public remarks about the ongoing anti-ICE riots in Los Angeles. In a strongly worded statement, Harris denounced the deployment of National Guard troops to quell unrest in her hometown, attributing the escalation of violence and protests to what she described as the Trump administration’s "cruel, calculated agenda" targeting immigrant communities.

Harris emphasized that "protest is a powerful tool — essential in the fight for justice," and asserted that the actions of demonstrators across Los Angeles were "overwhelmingly peaceful," a stance that immediately sparked backlash online. While she expressed being "appalled at what we are witnessing," Harris insisted that federal actions, such as recent ICE raids, not the protests themselves, were responsible for escalating tensions across Southern California. She questioned the administration's stated concerns about "public safety," accusing officials of instead "stoking fear."

Conservative commentators and Republican officials swiftly condemned Harris’ remarks as dismissive of the violence, which included property destruction, attacks on law enforcement, and intensified confrontations between protesters and federal agents. GOP leaders and conservative influencers highlighted numerous incidents of rioters burning vehicles, assaulting officers, and vandalizing property, with several posts circulating images of burning American flags and damaged police cars. "Their official position is that they’re appalled by what’s happening in Los Angeles…because of Trump and ICE, not the violent rioters," one conservative commentator posted, echoing the sentiment of many online critics.

Republican Sen. Tom Cotton and other high-profile politicians accused Harris of siding with "illegal alien rioters" over law enforcement and law-abiding citizens. California gubernatorial candidate Chad Bianco, who also serves as Riverside County Sheriff, called Harris’ comments an "embarrassment," arguing that they undermined efforts to restore order and did little to defuse the "violent riots" spreading across the city. Meanwhile, the White House doubled down on its support for the ongoing federal response, circulating images touting President Donald Trump's electoral gains and demanding that Harris "slink back into irrelevancy."

The situation in Los Angeles reached a tipping point after federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers conducted large-scale operations to detain undocumented immigrants, reigniting fierce debate over the city’s longstanding sanctuary policies. The Trump administration responded by deploying 2,000 National Guard troops, a move that drew sharp rebukes from local Democratic leaders, including Mayor Karen Bass and Governor Gavin Newsom. Both officials characterized the immigration raids as "chaotic and reckless," asserting they eroded public trust and placed families at risk.

Law enforcement agencies reported dozens of injuries among officers during clashes with protesters, who hurled rocks, set fires, and shouted anti-ICE slogans. Federal authorities confirmed that several agents were injured and shared graphic images, including one showing a Border Patrol agent’s hand bloodied by debris. ICE officials announced the arrest of 45 individuals, including several described as "the worst of the worst" criminal offenders—murderers, sex offenders, and other violent criminals—during Friday’s coordinated operations.

As tensions remain high, the events have deepened divisions over immigration policy, federal intervention in local jurisdictions, and the appropriate balance between public protest and public safety. Republican leaders continue to insist that the riots are evidence of failed leadership among Democrats in California, while supporters of Harris argue that peaceful protest must be protected, even amid heightened federal crackdowns.

With the city still reeling from days of unrest, both sides appear entrenched in their positions, signaling that the national conversation around immigration enforcement, sanctuary cities, and civic protest is far from resolved. The aftermath continues to unfold as law enforcement pursues suspects linked to violence against officers, and officials weigh the next steps amid mounting public scrutiny and political fallout.