A violent riot targeting federal immigration officers in Los Angeles has sparked bipartisan fallout and a congressional investigation after Democrats refused to label the attack an “insurrection.”
At a Glance
- GOP Rep. Darrell Issa is demanding a congressional investigation into LAPD’s response to violent anti-ICE riots in Los Angeles
- LAPD claims a 40-minute response time; Issa and others allege it was closer to two hours
- Sen. John Fetterman broke with Democrats, calling the riots “anarchy and true chaos”
- Gov. Newsom and Mayor Bass criticized Trump’s ICE policies while downplaying riot violence
Video shows federal officers under siege and property destroyed without immediate backup
Democrats Fractured Over Riot Definition
As violent protests erupted in Los Angeles, attacking ICE agents and damaging property, California’s Democratic leadership characterized the chaos as a byproduct of immigration enforcement “overreach.” Governor Gavin Newsom accused the Trump administration of “threatening democracy,” while Mayor Karen Bass imposed a citywide curfew but avoided condemning the rioters directly.
Watch a report: L.A. riots escalate amid ICE standoff
Breaking ranks, Senator John Fetterman labeled the unrest “anarchy and true chaos,” undercutting Democratic claims that the demonstrations were “mostly peaceful.” In response, Rep. Issa posed the rhetorical question: “If January 6th was an insurrection, then what do you call this?”
GOP Pushes Back on “Revisionist History”
Rep. Issa is now demanding a full congressional review into the response timeline and use of local law enforcement. He contends LAPD took nearly two hours to respond to ICE agents under attack, while LAPD insists it arrived in 40 minutes. “Traffic is no excuse,” Issa said, adding, “emergency response vehicles don’t stop for red lights when federal agents are being assaulted.”
Watch a report: Issa demands answers for LAPD delay
The D.C. fallout could be severe. If proven true, the delayed response may indicate intentional obstruction of federal law enforcement. Committee members are also reviewing whether LAPD received directives to stand down.
Trump vs. Newsom: ICE Showdown Turns Political
President Trump, reacting swiftly, mobilized National Guard forces to restore order, drawing a sharp contrast with Newsom’s rhetorical pivot. The California governor accused Trump of “arresting non-violent immigrants beyond his stated intent,” a claim Republican leaders dismissed as baseless deflection.
Meanwhile, conservatives point to what they view as Democratic hypocrisy. “They called Capitol trespassers an insurrection,” Issa said, “but ignore three hours of federal agents being attacked and ICE offices vandalized?”
Watch the escalation: Federal agents overwhelmed in L.A. riot
As Congress prepares to investigate, the broader question remains: were law enforcement and public safety sacrificed for political optics? The upcoming hearings may offer an answer—if lawmakers can cut through the spin.
