On Friday in Los Angeles, Vice President JD Vance delivered a scathing critique of California's state and local politicians, particularly targeting Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom and LA Mayor Karen Bass. Vance accused them of jeopardizing the safety of federal law enforcement officials and essentially declaring an open season on these officers. His comments come amid rising tensions surrounding federal enforcement operations in the city.
Vance expressed his shock at reports revealing that far-left activists have been disseminating sensitive information about federal law enforcement officials in Los Angeles, including their names, addresses, and even details about their families. This alarming trend has led to harassment, antagonism, and serious threats against those who serve in law enforcement. Vance stated, "Gavin Newsom and Karen Bass have got to stop this craziness," highlighting the urgent need for local leaders to protect their officers rather than encourage hostility towards them.
During his visit, Vance spoke with numerous law enforcement officers, who conveyed a common sentiment: local leadership appears to be emboldening far-left agitators. "Every single law enforcement officer I talked to today said they feel like the local leadership — the mayor and the governor — are encouraging these far-left agitators," Vance relayed. He questioned the rationale behind this encouragement, emphasizing the need for support rather than opposition.
Vance elaborated on the challenges faced by federal law enforcement, particularly Border Patrol agents. He recounted situations where agents attempting to apprehend violent criminals, including illegal aliens, are met with immediate opposition from protesters. "When that Border Patrol agent goes out to do their job, they said within 15 minutes, they have protesters, sometimes violent protesters, who are in their face obstructing them," he noted. Vance attributed this hostility to the inflammatory rhetoric from local officials, stating, "Because those people have been egged on by local officials."
Governor Newsom has openly criticized President Donald Trump for deploying the National Guard and Marines to assist local law enforcement in managing the anti-ICE riots in Los Angeles. Newsom labeled these actions as both illegal and immoral, even going so far as to file a lawsuit against the federal government to halt military involvement. Although a district court sided with Newsom, the 9th Circuit Court recently ruled in favor of the Trump administration, allowing military support to continue.
Vance remarked on the implications of this ruling, stating, "It's interesting that, for the past couple of weeks, Gavin Newsom has said that there's an illegitimate effort to send federal resources to secure a city that he refuses to secure." He underscored the court's decision as a validation of the federal government's right to assist local authorities in maintaining order.
Vance further emphasized the importance of viewing Border Patrol and federal enforcement as legitimate entities tasked with upholding the law rather than as adversaries. "They have treated Border Patrol and border enforcement as somehow an illegitimate force instead of what they are, which is the American people's law enforcement trying to enforce the American people's laws," he stated. He reiterated that when leaders like Newsom encourage violence and rioting, they are directly endangering the lives of federal law enforcement officials.
Commenting on the overall situation, Vance said, "What I see here today is the great tragedy when a mayor and a governor encourage their citizens to harass and endanger the lives of our police officers and our law enforcement officers." He characterized the situation as heartbreaking, expressing gratitude for the resilience of those who continue to serve amidst these challenges.
Vance concluded with a clear message regarding the responsibilities of local officials: "If you enforce your own laws and if you protect federal law enforcement, we're not going to send in the National Guard because it's unnecessary. But if you let violent rioters burn great American cities to the ground, then, of course, we're going to send federal law enforcement in to protect the people the president was elected to protect."
