Former U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris has come under heavy criticism after publicly denouncing the National Guard deployment to Los Angeles, following days of unrest sparked by federal immigration raids. Her comments, posted on social media platform X, have drawn accusations that she is fueling tensions rather than calling for calm.
“Los Angeles is my home. And like so many Americans, I am appalled at what we are witnessing on the streets of our city,” Harris wrote. “Deploying the National Guard is a dangerous escalation meant to promote chaos.”
Harris went on to label the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement actions as part of a “cruel, calculated agenda to spread panic and division,” referring to the ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) raids that resulted in over 100 arrests, many involving suspects with alleged ties to fraud and gang activity.
“This Administration’s actions are not about public safety – they’re about stoking fear,” she continued, framing the protests as peaceful demonstrations for immigrant rights and calling the protest “a powerful tool.”
Critics Accuse Harris of Escalating Rhetoric
While Harris framed her comments as a defense of civil rights, critics argue her rhetoric sends the wrong message during a time of lawlessness and public disorder. Scenes from Los Angeles have included blocked highways, burned vehicles, and violent clashes with law enforcement — incidents that many say Harris conveniently ignored in her narrative.
“Kamala Harris should be calling for calm, not undermining efforts to restore order,” said Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR). “Instead, she’s giving cover to agitators while attacking those trying to protect public safety.”
Trump issued a sharp response:
“If Newsom and Bass can’t do their jobs, we will. RIOTS & LOOTERS must be stopped,” President Trump posted on Truth Social, defending his decision to federalize the National Guard under Title 10 authority.
Democrats in Denial?
Harris’s comments reflect a broader stance taken by Democratic leaders in California, including Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, both of whom opposed the National Guard deployment and continue to promote the state’s sanctuary policies. Critics say this posture has enabled a climate of defiance and instability in the face of necessary immigration enforcement.
“The Democratic leadership in California seems more interested in protecting illegal immigration than in protecting law-abiding citizens,” said Rep. Mike Garcia (R-CA). “It’s reckless and dangerous.”
Some legal experts have also raised concerns over the tone coming from Democratic officials, suggesting their opposition to federal action could undermine the rule of law and provoke further unrest.
Also read: Fact Check: Is Trump’s National Guard Deployment in LA Legal?
A Deepening Divide
The standoff in Los Angeles now serves as a flashpoint in the broader ideological divide between federal authority and local governance. For many conservatives, the chaos in LA is the direct result of years of lenient policies that put ideology ahead of enforcement.
Despite Harris’s claim that protests have been “overwhelmingly peaceful,” footage and firsthand reports show multiple incidents of looting, vandalism, and violent resistance. Law enforcement officials have reported attacks on officers and extensive property damage in several districts.
Political Strategy or Public Concern?
Some observers argue Harris’s statement is less about public concern and more about political posturing, as speculation grows over her future ambitions. By aligning herself with protestors and framing federal enforcement as oppression, critics say Harris is using a volatile situation to galvanize her base ahead of a potential 2028 presidential run.
“She’s not speaking as a stateswoman. She’s campaigning,” said political analyst Mark Weaver. “And she’s doing it by painting law enforcement and the federal government as villains — even when they’re acting to protect public safety.”
What Comes Next?
With ICE planning more operations in the coming weeks and National Guard troops patrolling Los Angeles for the foreseeable future, the divide between state and federal priorities is only growing deeper.
While Harris and her Democratic allies warn of authoritarian overreach, others argue that leaders unwilling to maintain order have left Washington with no choice but to intervene.
The question remains: In cities like Los Angeles, where leadership rejects federal authority and rhetoric fuels unrest, who is really standing up for the rule of law — and who is letting it erode?
