GOP Rep. Darrell Issa of California has been vocal in his criticism of Democratic leaders in his state, particularly Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, over their handling of the recent anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles.
Issa is calling for a congressional investigation into the response time of local law enforcement after it was revealed that ICE agents were left vulnerable to attacks by protesters for hours due to delays in police action.
Issa’s comments, which were shared in an interview with Fox News Digital, not only criticize the local Democratic leadership’s failure to act swiftly but also praise President Donald Trump’s decisive response to the unrest, which involved deploying National Guard troops to protect ICE agents and restore order.
The protests, which erupted in Los Angeles in response to ICE raids and Trump’s immigration policies, have escalated into riots, with protesters engaging in violent actions such as property destruction, assaults on law enforcement officers, and obstruction of justice.
Issa, a strong supporter of Trump’s immigration policies, has been vocal in pointing out that the protests were not simply demonstrations but violent acts that undermined the rule of law.
The actions of the protesters, he argues, meet the very definition of “insurrection,” a term that Democrats have used extensively to describe the events of January 6, 2021, but have been noticeably silent on when it comes to the violent unrest in California.
Issa’s criticism of the response from Newsom and Bass is based on what he sees as a failure of leadership. "These are the same people that tell us, you know, Biden was fine, he was on the top of his game," Issa said, referring to the narrative from Democrats defending President Joe Biden’s administration.
"So their credibility goes with what you see versus what they say. I can't think of a better example of why you shouldn't believe or vote for people in that party as long as they're willing to literally lie to your face on what you're seeing with your own eyes."
The congressman pointed out that before Trump intervened with the deployment of National Guard troops, there was already significant damage done during the protests, including vandalism and destruction of property.
Issa refuted claims by local Democrats that Trump’s involvement made the situation worse. "First of all, there was damage, both vandalism and actual destruction done before Trump got involved, and that’s the reason he got involved," Issa stated.
He further emphasized that when ICE agents requested support from local police after being assaulted, it took more than two hours for the LAPD to respond.
According to Issa, the delay was due to the lack of authority for local law enforcement to act, highlighting the inability of local officials to protect federal agents from violent protesters.
Issa’s call for an investigation into the response time of the LAPD was in response to the claim that ICE agents were left defenseless for hours. According to Issa, when ICE agents were under attack, they had to wait for assistance, but the LAPD’s response was delayed due to bureaucratic issues.
"When ICE agents called for police support when they were being assaulted, they hunkered down and waited two hours before police responded because police couldn't get authority to react," Issa explained.
This failure to protect federal agents is what prompted Trump to deploy additional federalized troops to safeguard ICE agents and restore order.
The GOP has been critical of Democratic leadership in cities like Los Angeles, where local officials have been accused of being lenient with violent protests.
Issa’s comments echo the broader frustration within the Republican Party with Democrats who, according to Issa, have been unwilling to take a strong stance against the violence and lawlessness that has emerged in response to immigration enforcement.
Trump’s decision to send in National Guard troops was not a politically motivated action, but rather a necessary step to protect American citizens and ensure that law enforcement could do their jobs without fear of being overwhelmed or attacked by violent protesters.
In addition to his call for an investigation, Issa has been outspoken about the role of the National Guard and the necessity of federal intervention in maintaining law and order.
He praised Trump’s leadership in sending in troops to address the violence in Los Angeles, noting that it helped to prevent the situation from escalating further.
"One thing that I’m very happy about is, I know that by taking strong action here, he’s keeping it from occurring in other cities around the country," Issa stated.
He emphasized that the violent protests in 2020, which resulted in over two dozen deaths and billions of dollars in damage, were a result of inaction and indecisiveness from local leaders.
“What you don’t want is what ultimately happened in 2020, where we saw it happening not just in one city but in city after city,” Issa continued, highlighting the difference between the swift action taken by Trump and the ineffective response from Democratic leadership during past riots.
Issa also pointed out the inconsistency in how Democrats use the term "insurrection." While the term has been widely used to describe the events of January 6, 2021, when protesters stormed the U.S. Capitol, Issa argues that the violent actions taking place in Los Angeles fit the definition of insurrection just as much, if not more.
"We heard the word ‘insurrection’ for a couple of years nonstop, and now in Los Angeles, when people are directly assaulting property and law enforcement, that's the very definition of insurrection," Issa said.
He went on to criticize Governor Newsom’s response to the riots, questioning how he could defend actions that were clearly violent and unlawful.
"It’s sort of amazing to believe that high-ranking elected officials like Gov. Newsom would actually try to defend any of that action," Issa stated, further calling out the disconnect between the Democratic narrative and the reality of what was happening on the ground.
Issa’s strong stance is consistent with the broader Republican approach to immigration enforcement and public safety. The GOP has been vocal in its support of ICE and its mission to uphold the nation’s immigration laws.
Issa’s comments reflect the party’s commitment to protecting federal agents, ensuring that law enforcement can operate without interference, and restoring order in cities that are experiencing unrest.
With Democrats, particularly in California, often prioritizing leniency toward illegal immigration and protesting federal policies, Republicans are determined to defend the integrity of U.S. law and protect the citizens who are being affected by these policies.
Furthermore, Issa highlighted the hypocrisy in Newsom’s criticism of Trump’s use of National Guard troops. Issa pointed out that while Newsom and other Democrats were quick to criticize federal intervention, they failed to take responsibility for the chaos that was unfolding in their own cities.
"It might have worked in the era of print or maybe even the era of radio," Issa said about Newsom’s defense of his inaction. "But television and podcasts and everyone having a cellphone, those images are going to be what the American people are going to see when he tries to pretend that he was a good governor."
The failure to act decisively in the face of violence, according to Issa, is one of the key reasons why Democrats are losing credibility with voters.
Issa argues that voters are increasingly seeing the contrast between the swift actions taken by Trump and the inaction of Democratic leaders like Newsom and Bass.
The GOP, with its strong stance on law and order, is offering a solution to the problem of rising violence and unrest in American cities.
Trump’s leadership in deploying federal forces is not a sign of weakness, as Newsom has suggested, but a necessary response to ensure the safety of citizens and law enforcement personnel.
In conclusion, Rep. Darrell Issa’s criticism of Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass, along with his strong defense of President Trump’s response to the unrest in Los Angeles, highlights the ongoing divide between Republican and Democratic approaches to law enforcement and public safety.
Issa’s call for an investigation into the delayed response by local law enforcement and his insistence that the actions in Los Angeles qualify as insurrection underscore the GOP’s commitment to holding local leaders accountable and ensuring that the rule of law is upheld.
Trump’s decisive actions in sending National Guard troops to Los Angeles are a testament to his commitment to protecting American citizens and preventing further violence.
The contrast between Republican and Democratic leadership on these issues will continue to shape the political landscape as the country heads into the 2024 election.
For Issa and many in the GOP, the focus remains on restoring law and order and ensuring that those who break the law are held accountable.
