On Friday, Vice President JD Vance made a surprise visit to Los Angeles, a region grappling with a series of federal immigration raids that have ignited protests and resistance from local residents and officials. His office confirmed that the Vice President would tour a multiagency Federal Joint Operations Center and a Federal Mobile Command Center, and meet with Marines deployed to the area. However, specific details regarding the itinerary of Vance's visit remain sparse.
Vance's arrival at Los Angeles International Airport at 1:35 p.m. was noted by pool reports, but he did not engage with media representatives before proceeding to the federal operations center. During his visit, he met with Akil Davis, the FBI Assistant Director in charge of the Los Angeles office, to tour the FBI's command center. This command center is part of a collaborative effort involving 14 agencies aimed at addressing immigration issues in Los Angeles.
Officials from the Vice President's office indicated that Vance would communicate with representatives from the Department of Defense, Drug Enforcement Administration, Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, as well as local authorities, including the Los Angeles Police Department and the California Highway Patrol. This visit comes amidst a contentious legal battle between California and federal officials over the control of the California National Guard.
The backdrop of Vance's visit includes a recent decision by President Trump to federalize the National Guard troops, a move made despite strong opposition from California Governor Gavin Newsom. This federal deployment to Los Angeles was prompted by the immigration raids that have incited public outcry. The ongoing clash has resulted in a war of words between Newsom and members of the Trump administration, both in interviews and across social media platforms.
Governor Newsom expressed disappointment at the lack of direct engagement from the White House before Vance's visit, stating, “We’re always open to working together — which makes it all the more disappointing that the White House chose not to engage with us directly ahead of the visit.” He emphasized that his office had not received official notification regarding the Vice President's trip, which he believes is primarily focused on a high-dollar fundraiser.
In a video message shared on X, Governor Newsom directly addressed Vice President Vance, urging him to meet with the victims of the devastating Palisades and Altadena fires. “It’s been months now since some of the most devastating wildfires in U.S. history occurred — tens of thousands of lives completely torn asunder,” Newsom remarked, emphasizing the urgent need for attention to those affected by the disasters.
Furthermore, Newsom urged Vance to discuss with President Trump recent comments suggesting potential cuts to disaster relief funding for fire victims due to the ongoing feud between the governor and the president. “It’s honestly important… that you sit down with the president of the United States, who just a couple of days ago suggested that these American citizens may not get the support that other citizens get all across this country in terms of disaster relief,” he asserted, highlighting the critical nature of the situation.
On Thursday, the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled to maintain control of the National Guard troops under President Trump while the matter continues to be litigated in federal court. Attorney General Rob Bonta has vowed to persist in challenging the Trump administration's decision, ensuring that California's interests are represented in this ongoing legal battle.
