Former Vice President Kamala Harris faced renewed scrutiny over her stance on immigration enforcement after large-scale protests in Los Angeles escalated into violent riots over the weekend. Demonstrations initially aimed at opposing federal immigration operations quickly devolved into destruction, with several incidents of looting, property damage, and assaults on law enforcement reported across the city.
In response to the growing unrest, President Donald Trump authorized the deployment of the California National Guard to help stabilize the situation. The move came after state and local leaders, including Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass, were criticized for not intervening as federal officers came under attack.
Harris issued a statement denouncing the decision to send in the National Guard, calling it “a dangerous escalation meant to provoke chaos.” She described the protests as “mostly peaceful,” despite reports of widespread damage to vehicles belonging to immigration agencies, injuries to federal officers, and fires set in parts of downtown Los Angeles.
“Los Angeles is my home,” Harris said. “What we are witnessing is alarming, but the use of military force against civilians will only deepen division.” She argued that recent immigration enforcement operations were part of a broader strategy by the Trump administration to “spread fear and unrest.”
Meanwhile, federal officials confirmed that roughly 2,000 National Guard members had been federalized to assist in restoring order. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also placed an additional 500 U.S. Marines stationed at Camp Pendleton on alert should the situation worsen.
But Harris’ remarks drew immediate backlash — and one California law enforcement leader, now eyeing the governor’s office, had strong words in response…
