GOP lawmaker says California office was vandalized by ‘anti-Israel’ protesters

Rep. David Valadao (R-Calif.) said his district office was vandalized early Monday morning by “anti-Israel protesters,” who smeared a red substance on his building’s exterior and posted flyers with images of children under the banner “murdered by Israel.”

Following the incident, Valadao posted a photo Monday on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. The image showed about two dozen posters attached to the building’s glass door and on the ground surrounding the entrance. The official sign on the office’s exterior bearing the congressional seal and the representative’s name was covered in a red substance resembling blood, with what looked like handprints smeared across it.

“This morning, my Hanford office was vandalized by anti-Israel protestors. I strongly support the right to peaceful protest, but violence and vandalism are never acceptable. In a democracy, harassment and intimidation is not how you make your voice heard,” Valadao wrote in a statement Monday.

“If these protestors truly cared about Palestinian children they would also support the eradication of Hamas terrorists, who are actively using Palestinian hospitals and schools as cover for their military operations and putting thousands of Palestinian civilians at risk,” he added.

The Hanford Police Department confirmed Tuesday in a statement to The Hill that the incident is under investigation.

“Detectives responded to the scene and located video surveillance which showed 4 people who had thrown a red syrup on the walls of the business and smeared the substance on the glass while taping the fliers,” according to a press release from the department.

“Detectives are actively investigating this case and checking with surrounding businesses and residences for video surveillance of the incident,” the release continued, adding that those with information should contact the local detective.

A spokesperson for Valadao’s office said they alerted local law enforcement and U.S. Capitol Police when they learned the incident took place. Police responded Monday morning and estimated the incident occurred between 11 p.m. and midnight Sunday.

“Our building has surveillance video of the incident that we have given to local authorities, and we hope to see those responsible held accountable to the fullest extent of the law,” a spokesperson for Valadao said.

The incident comes amid a rise in tension following Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack on the southern border of Israel in which 1,200 Israelis were killed and more than 240 were taken hostage. Israel has responded with a barrage of airstrikes and a ground offensive that have resulted in more than 13,000 Palestinian deaths, according to estimates from the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry.

A temporary truce was struck last week between Israel and Hamas, which the U.S. has designated as a terrorist organization, that has seen a pause on Israel’s military offensive and an exchange of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners. Nearly 200 Israeli hostages are still estimated to be held captive by Hamas.