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Congressman Calls for Accountability Amid LAPD’s Delayed Response
FIRST ON FOX: California GOP Congressman Darrell Issa has called for a thorough investigation into allegations that the Los Angeles Police Department delayed their response to protect ICE officers who were being assaulted during violent protests in the city on Friday night.
Representing California’s 48th Congressional District, Issa, a senior member of the House Judiciary Committee, issued a press release on Tuesday urging for a full and complete Congressional inquiry. This comes after reports indicated that ICE officers waited for over two hours for assistance from LAPD.
According to a press release from the Department of Homeland Security, at least 1,000 rioters encircled a federal law enforcement building, resulting in multiple assaults on ICE officers. The rioters reportedly slashed tires, vandalized property, and committed other acts of violence against law enforcement.
The DHS press release noted, “It took the Los Angeles Police Department two hours to respond to this critical situation.”
LAPD’s Response and Chief’s Statement
LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell quickly countered the DHS assertion in a press conference, stating that the department does not engage in immigration enforcement. McDonnell reportedly expressed disbelief at the original claims made by the DHS regarding response times, stating, “When we heard that, I think anybody who’s a police officer couldn’t believe it, and certainly anyone with LAPD couldn’t imagine how that could happen. Well, it didn’t happen.”
Chief McDonnell clarified that the LAPD’s actual response time was approximately 40 minutes, mainly due to heavy traffic.
DHS Stands by Its Claims
In a statement to Fox News Digital on Monday, Assistant DHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlin reaffirmed the department’s position regarding the response time. She maintained that it indeed took the LAPD two hours to assist the ICE officers during the measures unfolding in the city.
McLaughlin emphasized, “The fact remains that it took the Los Angeles Police Department two hours to respond. During that time, over 1,000 rioters surrounded a federal law enforcement building and assaulted ICE law enforcement officers.” She further commended the LAPD for eventually stepping up to restore order amidst the chaos.
Community and Legislative Reactions
Congressman Issa expressed grave concerns about the implications of LAPD’s delayed response. He stated that it is critical to determine if there was any directive from the political leadership of Los Angeles or California instructing the LAPD to refrain from responding to the emergency situations faced by ICE agents, who were allegedly under attack by rioters.
Issa remarked, “We need to know if the political leadership of the City of Los Angeles or the State of California, or anyone else, instructed the LAPD to stand down when our ICE agents were in peril.” He characterized the rioters’ actions as a severe threat to law enforcement personnel simply executing their duties.
Continued Violence and Injuries
Democratic leaders in California have faced intense criticism for their responses to the unrest, with some citing President Donald Trump as a cause for the violence, while referring to the protests as largely peaceful. Despite some nonviolent demonstrations, significant violence erupted, causing injuries to numerous law enforcement officers.
Reports indicate that the unrest resulted in injuries inflicted by projectiles and fireworks on Monday. As of that day, the LAPD announced they apprehended 50 individuals whose charges included attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon against officers.
Ongoing Investigations and Future Implications
As investigations unfold, the LAPD has reported minor injuries to both five of their officers and five horses. The seriousness of this incident has prompted a dialogue about police response times during critical incidents and the political pressures surrounding law enforcement agencies.
With growing demands for accountability, the significance of Issa’s investigation extends beyond LAPD’s immediate actions. It raises broader questions about the influence of political directives on police operations and the safety of law enforcement personnel amid spontaneous violent protests.
