A top Democratic lawmaker is calling out his own party for failing to condemn what he calls the “anarchy” and “true chaos” of protests in Los Angeles against the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency.
“This is anarchy and true chaos,” U.S. Sen. John Fetterman (D-Penn.) wrote on X, per The Hill.
“My party loses the moral high ground when we refuse to condemn setting cars on fire, destroying buildings, and assaulting law enforcement,” he added. “I unapologetically stand for free speech, peaceful demonstrations, and immigration—but this is not that.”
Large protests have been seen in Los Angeles as ICE agents have arrested people as part of President Donald Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration.
Trump has deployed U.S. Marines and members of the National Guard to the city.
Los Angeles Democratic Mayor Karen Bass on Monday urged protestors to remain peaceful.
“LA has a proud history of peaceful protest for immigrants rights. We must continue that legacy – don’t fall into the Trump Administration’s trap,” the mayor wrote on X.
Bass and California Gov. Gavin Newsom, both Democrats, have called Trump’s deployment of the National Guard “inflammatory” and unwarranted.
“It’s a blatant abuse of power. We will sue to stop this. The Courts and Congress must act. Checks and balances are crumbling,” Newsom said.
“This is a red line — and they’re crossing it. WAKE UP!”
Trump administration officials have said that any protestors who break the law will be prosecuted.
“The Right to assemble and protest does not include a license to attack law enforcement officers, or to impede and obstruct our lawful immigration operations,” FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino wrote on X on Saturday.
