Vice President JD Vance Criticizes California Leaders During Controversial Visit to Los Angeles
Vice President JD Vance launched a scathing attack on California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass during a surprise visit to Los Angeles on Friday, blaming their opposition to federal immigration raids for endangering law enforcement officers.
Speaking at the Wilshire Federal Building, Vance defended President Trump’s decision to federalize California National Guard troops and deploy them to L.A. — a move that has sparked a fierce legal battle with state officials.
“You had people simply doing their jobs enforcing the law, and you had rioters, egged on by the governor and the mayor, making it harder for them,” Vance said.
Both Newsom and Bass have condemned the raids, which triggered widespread protests and isolated violent clashes, but have consistently urged peaceful demonstrations. Bass dismissed Vance’s claims as inflammatory and misleading.
“The vice president clearly didn’t bother to understand this city,” she said. “He’s just trying to justify the hundreds of millions wasted on a political stunt.”
Vance Mocks Padilla, Faces Backlash
During his remarks, Vance also mocked Sen. Alex Padilla, referring to him as “Jose Padilla” and insinuating he skipped a press event because it lacked theatrics. Padilla had been detained earlier in the week by federal officers after attempting to question Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
Padilla’s spokesperson, Tess Oswald, criticized the vice president for resorting to “cheap shots,” calling the comment “another unserious statement from an unserious administration.”
Security Briefings and Fundraiser Ties
Vance’s itinerary included a classified tour of an FBI Mobile Command Center used by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and meetings with officials from multiple federal and local agencies. Reporters were barred from most meetings due to security concerns.
The visit coincided with a high-profile GOP fundraiser in Beverly Hills, with ticket prices reaching $445,000, according to nonprofit outlet NOTUS.
Deployment Dispute Reaches Federal Courts
Trump’s decision to override Newsom’s control of the California National Guard remains at the heart of an escalating legal standoff. A federal appeals court has so far upheld Trump’s authority while the case proceeds. A judge in San Francisco has requested briefs on the legality of the Guard’s deployment under the Posse Comitatus Act.
Attorney General Rob Bonta has vowed continued legal resistance.
Clashing Narratives on Law, Order and Protest
Vance described the demonstrations as “riots” and blamed Newsom and Bass for inciting unrest. “We had to restore order,” he said, standing beside federal and military officials. “That’s why we have 5,000 troops here.”
Newsom, however, insisted his administration supports peaceful protest but will act against criminal behavior. He also took to X to call out Vance for politicizing the crisis instead of addressing California’s wildfire victims or discussing disaster relief.
“It’s time the vice president sit down with the president and fix this,” Newsom said in a video. “Disaster relief is not a bargaining chip.”
