Fetterman on LA: Dems losing high ground with response

Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) slammed the Democratic Party late Monday for not condemning protests in Los Angeles. 

“This is anarchy and true chaos,” Fetterman wrote in a post on the social platform X.

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

Later in the day, Fetterman clarified that he wasn’t disappointed in Democrats but wanted to share his “take” on the situation free of ridiculing California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass (D-Calif.). 

“I have no judgement to them. All I’m saying for me, with what has happened, the optics that have emerged, for the vast majority of people, it’s way beyond free speech or protesting,” the senator told NewsNation.

Large groups of demonstrators have gathered for several days in Los Angeles to protest arrests made by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). President Trump deployed 2,000 National Guard soldiers and hundreds of Marines in response to the demonstrations.

Hundreds of protesters approached a federal building in Los Angeles on Friday where 44 individuals were being held by ICE. Lawmakers say the local ICE facility where detainees are being held is so overpopulated that many are forced to sleep outside in tents. 

On Monday, Bass urged protesters to remain peaceful.

“LA has a proud history of peaceful protest for immigrants rights. We must continue that legacy – don’t fall into the Trump Administration’s trap,” she wrote on X.

“Protest peacefully. Looting and vandalism will not be tolerated,” Bass continued, while saying the city would not “stand” for the actions of federal law enforcement. 

Newsom and Bass have both called Trump’s deployment of the National Guard “inflammatory” and unwarranted. 

“It’s a blatant abuse of power. We will sue to stop this. The Courts and Congress must act. Checks and balances are crumbling,” Newsom said.

“This is a red line — and they’re crossing it. WAKE UP!”

Officials from the Trump administration have pledged to arrest and prosecute protesters who violate the law.

White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller slammed Bass in a Saturday post on X, telling the leader, “You have no say in this at all. Federal law is supreme and federal law will be enforced.”

“The Right to assemble and protest does not include a license to attack law enforcement officers, or to impede and obstruct our lawful immigration operations,” FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino wrote in a Saturday post on X, defending the federal response to ICE raids.

“The days of chaos ruling the streets are over. Either obey the law, or go to jail, there’s no third option,” he added.

This story was updated at 3:16 p.m.