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EXCLUSIVE: GOP Representative Darrell Issa is openly criticizing Democratic officials in California for their handling of the recent anti-ICE riots in Los Angeles. His remarks come as he urges a congressional investigation into the local law enforcement’s response times to these events.
Issa expressed his frustration with the narratives spun by Democrats, particularly their attempts to defend President Biden’s performance. “These are the same people that tell us, you know, Biden was fine, he was on the top of his game,” he stated, highlighting the perceived disparity between political rhetoric and reality.
Issa claimed that local Democrats have lost credibility, asserting, “I can’t think of a better example of why you shouldn’t believe or vote for people in that party as long as they’re willing to literally lie to your face on what you’re seeing with your own eyes.” His comments reflect broader concerns about politicians’ accountability in light of violent demonstrations.
Democratic Leadership Faces Backlash
As protests escalated over the weekend, Democrats nationwide, from California to Washington, D.C., have attempted to downplay the rioting, insisting that the majority of actions were peaceful. Issa rejects this characterization, asserting that violence permeated the demonstrations.
California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass have placed blame on President Trump for exacerbating tensions by mobilizing the National Guard. Issa disputes this narrative, demanding clarity on the timeline of events.
“First of all, there was damage, both vandalism and actual destruction done before Trump got involved, and that’s the reason he got involved,” Issa said during a conversation with Fox News Digital.
Delayed Police Response
He also highlighted a significant delay in police support for ICE agents during the riots. According to Issa, ICE officers faced heightened danger, waiting approximately two hours for police assistance due to bureaucratic hurdles.
On Tuesday, Issa officially requested an investigation concerning reports from the Department of Homeland Security that LAPD took an extended time to respond. The LAPD later refuted these claims, stating their response took around 40 minutes, hampered mainly by traffic conditions.
Government Accountability at Stake
Issa pressed on the importance of ICE officers’ safety, reiterating that many illegal immigrants have serious criminal backgrounds. He stated, “Understand that we have over 10 million people who were let into this country, and tens of thousands of them are serious criminal aliens. There were warrants. There were orders to deport.” He emphasized the necessity for federal intervention if local authorities fail to protect law enforcement agencies.
In his discussions with Fox News Digital, Issa praised Trump’s actions in response to the civil unrest. He stated, “One thing that I’m very happy about is, I know that by taking strong action here, he’s keeping it from occurring in other cities around the country.” He reflected on the unfortunate events of 2020 when protests escalated into widespread violence across numerous cities.
Contrasting Definitions of Insurrection
The congressman raised eyebrows when he noted the inconsistency in how the term insurrection has been applied by Democrats. While the events of January 6 were termed insurrection repeatedly, the ongoing riots in Los Angeles seemed to escape the same characterization.
“We heard the word ‘insurrection’ for a couple of years nonstop, and now in Los Angeles, when people are directly assaulting property and law enforcement, that’s the very definition of insurrection,” Issa commented, asserting that such terminology should apply universally to similar acts of aggression.
He described the current situation in Los Angeles as a failure on the part of Governor Newsom to adequately address the unrest. Issa claimed that the governor’s defense of rioters is untenable given the tangible evidence of violence circulating on social media.
Digital Evidence Shaping Public Perception
“Television and podcasts and everyone having a cellphone, those images are going to be what the American people [are going to] see when he tries to pretend that he was a good governor,” Issa concluded. His points reflected concerns about how public officials will be judged based on their responses to crisis situations.
Controversy Surrounds Trump’s Actions
Fox News Digital reached out to the offices of Newsom and Bass for their reactions to Issa’s remarks. In a statement, Newsom criticized Trump’s actions, describing them as excessive. He stated that Trump’s mobilization of military resources appeared to target not just serious criminals but also innocent members of the community.
Days earlier, he complained, “His agents are arresting dishwashers, gardeners, day laborers and seamstresses. That’s just weakness. Weakness masquerading as strength.” Newsom further clarified that he believes Trump is not preserving communities but instead traumatizing them.
A Broader Implication for Democracy
Newsom, in a fervent condemnation of Trump’s decisions, warned that the implications go far beyond Los Angeles. He expressed concern that Trump’s broad orders could affect other states and challenge the very fabric of American democracy.
Notably, the statements from both Issa and Newsom highlight an increasingly polarized political landscape in the U.S. as varying narratives and responses to civil unrest unfold. GOP leadership appears determined to hold Democrats accountable while Democrats argue against perceived abuses of power by the Trump administration.
As events continue to develop, it remains clear that the dialogue surrounding these anti-ICE riots will shape political discussions leading into upcoming elections. The ultimate resolutions around accountability, safety and law enforcement priorities are undoubtedly at the forefront of public concerns.
