Violence exploded in Los Angeles, and the fallout is exposing a deep divide in how leaders handle chaos on American streets.
The Daily Caller reported that following aggressive Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids on Friday, riots erupted in Los Angeles, leading to attacks on federal officers, widespread vandalism of public property, and a swift deployment of National Guard troops by President Donald Trump on Saturday.
According to a Department of Homeland Security statement released Saturday, rioters didn’t just protest—they assaulted federal officers and trashed taxpayer-funded property.
Images of burning cars, Molotov cocktails flying through the air, and graffiti screaming hostility toward ICE painted a grim picture of the unrest.
These aren’t peaceful demonstrations; they’re destructive acts that demand a firm response, no matter how controversial the underlying policy may be.
On Saturday, President Trump announced he’s sending 2,000 National Guard soldiers to restore order in Los Angeles.
While some see this as a necessary step to protect communities, it’s no surprise that Democratic leaders like California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass reacted with frustration.
Disagree with the policy if you must, but turning a blind eye to violence isn’t leadership—it’s a dodge. Newsom took to MSNBC on Sunday night, challenging border czar Tom Homan with a personal jab that seemed more about grandstanding than solutions.
As commentator Chris Cillizza pointed out on his YouTube channel Monday, “This is not about Gavin Newsom, right?”
Personalizing a crisis like this misses the mark—public safety, not political theater, should be the focus.
Cillizza didn’t hold back, slamming Democrats for their handling of the situation, saying they “appear entirely comfortable with playing along on this, which is colossally stupid” politically.
He’s got a point—when cars are ablaze and buildings defaced, deflecting blame to Trump instead of condemning violence looks like a misstep of epic proportions.
Turns out, actions have consequences, and dodging accountability isn’t a winning strategy when the public is watching chaos unfold on their screens.
Adding fuel to the debate, CNN’s Harry Enten reported Monday that Trump’s approval on immigration issues has climbed 20 points since June 2017 among American voters, per his aggregated data.
This surge suggests that while progressive voices push back, many citizens are aligning with a tougher stance on border security and enforcement.
It’s a reminder that optics matter—when violence overshadows policy debates, the public often gravitates toward calls for order over endless critique.
Democratic Rep. Maxine Waters also drew fire from Cillizza for her remarks on the riots, questioning the role of law enforcement amid the unrest. Cillizza noted that with images of looting and destruction dominating the news, her comments felt “tone-deaf” to the reality on the ground.
When people see chaos, they expect leaders to prioritize safety, not question the very forces tasked with restoring calm. Cillizza offered a roadmap, suggesting Democrats should “condemn all violence” and pivot to a serious discussion on deportation policies.
Former Democratic strategist Dan Turrentine echoed Cillizza’s frustration on “The Morning Meeting” Monday, bluntly stating the party has “lost its mind” in its reaction to the riots.
That’s a harsh but telling critique—when even insiders see a disconnect, it’s time for reflection, not more soundbites.
The Democratic response risks alienating voters who, regardless of their views on immigration, want leaders to unequivocally stand against violence.