LOS ANGELES (AP) — Vice President JD Vance accused California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass of inciting violent immigration protests during his visit to Los Angeles. Vance defended the Trump administration against criticism that federal officers had exacerbated unrest, suggesting that local officials were to blame for the chaos.
During his appearance, Vance mistakenly referred to U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla as “Jose Padilla,” seemingly alluding to an incident where Padilla was detained by officers at a news conference. Vance insinuated that Padilla’s absence was a calculated move aimed at garnering attention. He criticized politicians who opposed border enforcement, accusing them of prioritizing political theatrics over public safety.
A spokesperson for Padilla, Tess Oswald, criticized Vance’s remarks on social media, urging him to focus on de-escalating tensions rather than making unfounded attacks. Vance’s visit coincided with a reduction in demonstrations in Los Angeles and the lifting of a curfew following a period of unrest linked to immigration raids in Southern California.
Vance echoed President Trump’s tough stance on immigration, blaming California Democrats for the protests and portraying their policies as a threat to law enforcement. He characterized Newsom and Bass as fostering a hostile environment towards federal agents by promoting sanctuary city policies.
Newsom’s spokesperson, Izzy Gardon, refuted Vance’s claims, asserting the governor’s commitment to condemning violence. Bass dismissed Vance’s accusations as baseless and condemned federal expenditures on what she called a political show.
In response to Vance’s reference to “Jose Padilla,” Newsom highlighted the significance of the name, linking it to a convicted al-Qaida terrorist from the Bush administration era. The statement aimed to underscore the sensitivity and implications of using such a reference in a political context.
The concept of a “mission” remained vague, and there were no assertions linking it to the South Florida terrorism case. In response to the criticism, Taylor Van Kirk, a representative for Vance, stated that the vice president may have confused two individuals who have violated the law. Immigration authorities at the federal level have intensified arrests nationwide to meet Trump’s commitment to mass deportations. Todd Lyons, the leader of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, has defended his strategies amid accusations of excessive force.
Tensions in Los Angeles escalated on June 6 when federal agents initiated a series of immigration raids in the area, an operation that has persisted. Despite opposition from state and local authorities, Trump ordered the deployment of approximately 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines to the city, which is home to 3.8 million residents. Trump has warned that without military involvement, Los Angeles would resemble a crime scene unseen for many years.
Governor Newsom has portrayed the military intervention as the beginning of a broader attempt by Trump to disrupt fundamental political and cultural norms in the nation. Earlier on Friday, Newsom encouraged Vance to meet with victims of the fatal January wildfires during his visit to Southern California and to hold discussions with Trump. Trump had hinted earlier in the week that his ongoing dispute with the governor might impact the consideration of $40 billion in federal wildfire assistance for California. Newsom expressed hope for progress, stating, “We are relying on you, Mr. Vice President.”
During his appearance on Friday, Vance did not address either of the requests.
