Politics Over Public Safety? House Democrats Reject Call to Condemn L.A. Riots

Nearly 200 House Democrats voted against a resolution condemning the violent anti-ICE riots that erupted in Los Angeles earlier this month, reigniting debate over law enforcement, protest rights, and public safety.

The resolution—introduced by Rep. Young Kim (R-Calif.) and supported by the entire California GOP House delegation—passed the House with 215 votes, including support from seven Democrats. It recognized Americans' right to peaceful protest while sharply denouncing the escalation into rioting, arson, looting, and attacks on law enforcement.

“Peaceful protests are a constitutional right, but vandalism, looting, violence, and other crimes are not,” Kim stated. “Protecting public safety shouldn’t be controversial.”

The measure directly referenced reports from L.A. District Attorney Nathan Hochman, who said the protests were exploited by criminals to commit widespread property damage, theft, and assaults on officers.

“They looked at the protest as a cover, an opportunity to go ahead and ply their illegal trade,” Hochman said, noting it harmed the message of legitimate demonstrators.

The resolution accuses California’s progressive crime policies—pushed by Governor Gavin Newsom and local prosecutors—of enabling lawlessness and undermining law and order.

Democratic opponents, however, criticized the resolution for ignoring what they called federal overreach, particularly the deployment of thousands of National Guard troops to Los Angeles at the direction of President Donald Trump.

“This resolution ignores those facts to score political points,” said Rep. Nanette Díaz Barragán (D-Calif.), who argued the troop presence escalated tensions.

Governor Newsom, echoing that stance on X, posted:

“Trump still has 4,946 troops sitting around L.A. doing nothing. Meanwhile, he slashed the National Guard’s fentanyl and drug interdiction force by 32%. He is actively endangering our communities.”

The debate unfolds as ICE agents report a 500% surge in assaults, according to the Department of Homeland Security, adding pressure to the ongoing national conversation around deportations and border enforcement.