Kamala Harris Faces Backlash for Controversial LA ICE Raids Statement Amid Ongoing Protests

Kamala Harris Faces Backlash for Controversial LA ICE Raids Statement Amid Ongoing Protests

Former Vice President Kamala Harris drew sharp criticism from conservatives on social media after she released a statement regarding the ICE protests and riots in Los Angeles. Many perceived her remarks as an attempt to shift blame onto the Trump administration while asserting that the unrest was “overwhelmingly peaceful.”

Harris described Los Angeles as her home and expressed her discontent following several days of turmoil in the city. The protests began in response to federal agents arresting undocumented immigrants, leading to the Trump administration’s decision to deploy the National Guard to the area.

In her statement, Harris stated, “Like so many Americans, I am appalled at what we are witnessing on the streets of our city. Deploying the National Guard is a dangerous escalation meant to provoke chaos. The recent ICE raids in Southern California and across our nation are part of the Trump administration’s cruel, calculated agenda intended to spread panic and division.”

Furthermore, she emphasized that the administration did not prioritize public safety, rather choosing to stoke fear among the populace.

Support for Protesters

Harris continued by asserting the value of protest as a means for justice. She referenced remarks from the LAPD, the Mayor, and the Governor, which highlighted that demonstrations advocating for immigrant rights had largely remained peaceful. Harris stated, “I continue to support the millions of Americans who are standing up to protect our most fundamental rights and freedoms.”

However, Harris’ comments quickly provoked backlash from conservative commentators and former Trump officials. Fox News contributor Guy Benson tweeted, “The country really dodged a bullet in November,” suggesting disapproval of Harris’s stance.

Criticism from the Right

In a follow-up post, Benson criticized Harris for focusing her displeasure on the actions of Trump and ICE rather than addressing the violent rioters. He asserted, “In its current form, this party cannot be salvaged.”

Fox News contributor Katie Pavlich also weighed in, saying, “Thank you, America, for employing brain cells and rejecting this woman’s quest to become president of the United States.” Her comments reflected widespread sentiment from those opposing Harris’s narrative.

Other conservative voices echoed similar sentiments. The account LibsofTikTok challenged Harris’s label of mostly peaceful protests, sharing images of rioters engaging in violent acts, such as damaging property and vandalizing law enforcement vehicles.

GOP Senator Tom Cotton criticized Harris, suggesting that her comment further illustrated her incompetence, stating, “No surprise that the most incompetent Vice President in history stands with the illegal alien rioters.”

Government Responses to Protests

The White House’s principal deputy press secretary, Harrison Fields, responded to the controversy online, issuing a statement alongside a graphic highlighting President Trump’s electoral successes. Meanwhile, Senior Counsel to the Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Leo Terrell remarked that no one was interested in Harris’s opinion.

California GOP gubernatorial candidate and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco condemned her comments, stating, “President Trump didn’t start these riots. He’s not out there lighting cars on fire, hurling projectiles at law enforcement, or blocking freeways. This statement is an embarrassment and does nothing to diffuse the violent riots taking place across the city.”

Bianco asserted that Democrats bear responsibility for the unrest, echoing frustrations shared by many conservatives regarding the response to the situation.

Chaos Amid ICE Raids

The current situation heightened tensions as the ICE operations focused on detaining individuals with criminal backgrounds. The riots erupted as ICE began its efforts to remove undocumented immigrants from Los Angeles, a city known for asserting itself as a sanctuary for illegal immigrants.

ICE’s raids commenced last Friday, prompting Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass to express her support for undocumented immigrants in the city while criticizing the administration’s approach to immigration enforcement. California Governor Gavin Newsom described the ICE operations as chaotic and reckless, stating, “Continued chaotic federal sweeps across California to meet an arbitrary arrest quota are as reckless as they are cruel.”

Newsom contended that Trump’s tactics were eroding trust within communities, tearing families apart, and ultimately undermining California’s economy.

Violence Against Law Enforcement

As the protests escalated, violent encounters with ICE officers frequently occurred, including instances of projectiles being thrown at them. Agents reported being struck by rocks during confrontations, with one ice agent sustaining serious injuries. Such incidents prompted concerns over the safety of federal agents involved in immigration enforcement.

During ICE operations, agents targeted dangerous criminal elements among the undocumented population, capturing individuals with history of violent crimes like murder and sexual offenses. Approximately 45 arrests took place across various locations, emphasizing a focus on high-risk individuals.

Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, criticized Governor Newsom and Mayor Bass, questioning their priority for protecting violent criminals over the safety of law-abiding citizens. She stated, “These rioters in Los Angeles are fighting to keep rapists, murderers, and other violent criminals loose on Los Angeles streets.” McLaughlin defended the efforts of ICE agents as crucial for community safety.

Contributions to this report were made by Fox News Digital’s Taylor Penley, Emma Colton, Greg Wehner, and Bill Melugin.