Vice President JD Vance speaks during a visit to the Wilshire Federal Building on Friday, June 20, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
LOS ANGELES (AP) — During his visit to Los Angeles, Vice President JD Vance attributed the city’s recent wave of violent immigration protests to the actions of California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. Vance’s statements come in response to criticisms claiming that the Trump administration’s deployment of federal officers exacerbated the unrest.
Referencing a controversial incident involving U.S. Senator Alex Padilla, Vance referred to him by an incorrect name, “Jose Padilla,” igniting a backlash from Padilla’s spokesperson, who pointed out their previous collaboration in the Senate. The spokesperson emphasized that Vance should focus on addressing the issues at hand rather than making unfounded allegations.
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Vance’s appearance in Los Angeles was strategically timed as protests began to subside and a curfew was lifted following a series of clashes between demonstrators and police. The unrest flared after federal immigration raids across Southern California, which were met with significant public outrage.
By sending senior officials to Los Angeles amidst such turmoil, Trump aims to underscore his commitment to strict immigration policies. Vance echoed Trump’s sentiments by attributing blame to the state’s leaders for the atmosphere of instability in the city.
“By treating Los Angeles as a sanctuary city, Newsom and Bass have essentially declared it open season on federal law enforcement,” Vance stated following his tour of immigration enforcement offices. He condemned the violent incidents, asserting they represented a failure to uphold the law.
In response, Governor Newsom’s spokesperson vehemently denied Vance’s allegations, calling them “categorically false.” Mayor Bass also pushed back, insisting that the local government had maintained order amidst chaos and criticizing Vance for “spewing lies.”
As tensions rose, the situation in Los Angeles escalated when federal immigration authorities intensified their enforcement efforts nationwide to fulfill Trump’s promise of increased deportations. This surge in federal presence, including a deployment of National Guard troops, has drawn sharp critique from local and state officials who view it as an overreach of federal authority.
Despite the political strife, Newsom urged Vance to prioritize important state needs, such as addressing the aftermath of deadly wildfires in California, rather than getting embroiled in name-calling and partisan disputes. The Vice President’s remarks, however, suggest that the focus on immigration enforcement remains central to his agenda.
