Fetterman calls LA riots “anarchy,” as GOP blames California Democrats and Trump defends National Guard deployment.

Fetterman Warns Democrats Not to Ignore Violence

Senator John Fetterman, D-Pa., broke with much of his party Monday by condemning the violent riots unfolding in Los Angeles. In a widely circulated post on X, Fetterman stated that Democrats surrender their “moral high ground” if they remain silent on the destruction of property and attacks on law enforcement during ongoing immigration-related unrest.

“I unapologetically stand for free speech, peaceful demonstrations, and immigration—but this is not that. This is anarchy and true chaos,” he wrote. “My party loses the moral high ground when we refuse to condemn setting cars on fire, destroying buildings, and assaulting law enforcement.”

Fetterman’s statement sparked a rare moment of bipartisan acknowledgment. Tech entrepreneur Elon Musk responded with an American flag emoji, while Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy praised Fetterman’s courage in calling out his own party. “It’s hard to preach hard truths to your own side. I respect this,” Ramaswamy wrote.

White House Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich also reacted, warning that Democrats like Fetterman may find themselves politically homeless within their party. “There is no room for you in the party of Gavin Newsom and Kamala Harris,” he wrote, accusing Democratic leaders of defending chaos and prioritizing power over public order.

Republicans Blame State Democrats, Defend Federal Response

Republican lawmakers in California pointed to failed Democratic policies as the catalyst for the riots. They claimed that recent immigration enforcement operations escalated due to inadequate cooperation between state, local, and federal authorities—cooperation they attempted to enhance through legislative means.

“Federal authorities doing the vital work of immigration enforcement have been met with obstruction and violence,” said California Assembly Minority Leader James Gallagher, R-Yuba City. “These agitators and failed California policies caused this chaos. It will not be tolerated.”

Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones, R-San Diego, highlighted Senate Bill 554 as a missed opportunity to prevent the unrest. The bill, blocked by Democrats, would have amended the California Values Act to permit greater coordination with federal immigration enforcement.

“This whole thing was easily preventable,” Jones asserted, adding that sanctuary city policies led to ICE targeting undocumented immigrants outside formal operations, known as “collateral arrests,” because local officials refused to hand over specific suspects.

President Donald Trump defended his decision to deploy National Guard troops and authorize further military presence. “We made a great decision in sending the National Guard to deal with the violent, instigated riots in California,” he said via Truth Social. “If we had not done so, Los Angeles would have been completely obliterated.”

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed Monday night that U.S. Marines had also been sent to restore order on the ground in Los Angeles.

Governor Gavin Newsom, however, blamed Trump for the escalation, accusing him of deliberately provoking unrest. “This is exactly what he wanted. He flamed the fires and illegally acted to federalize the National Guard,” Newsom said.

As tensions continue in California, the political rift over immigration enforcement, public safety, and party loyalty has widened. Fetterman’s comments have intensified national debate over how Democrats should confront lawlessness while maintaining support for peaceful protest and immigration rights.