California’s Republican Congressional delegation is taking steps to formally speak out against the riots in Los Angeles.
The entire California Republican Congressional delegation introduced a resolution into the House on Tuesday to formally condemn the riots.
Driving the news: Protests sparked in Los Angeles over the weekend in response to activity from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in the area targeting illegal immigrants.
- The protests turned into riots, with people looting stores in downtown Los Angeles overnight.
- President Donald Trump sent 2,000 California National Guard troopers and 700 Marines to protect ICE officers amid the riots.
The big picture: Rep. Young Kim (R–Anaheim Hills) led the delegation in introducing the resolution to condemn the riots.
- The resolution expresses that the House recognizes the right to assemble and protest peacefully.
- It condemns the violence committed against federal, state and local law enforcement, and it calls on local and state leaders to work with the federal government to end the violence and restore peace.
- It also expresses gratitude to law enforcement officers for keeping communities safe in the face of danger.
What they’re saying: “Peaceful protests are a constitutional right, but vandalism, looting, violence, and other crimes are not,” Kim said. “Protecting public safety shouldn’t be controversial, which is why I am leading the California Republican delegation in a resolution to support law and order as we continue to see unrest. I hope Governor Newsom can come together with President Trump to stop the riots, lower the temperature, and keep our communities safe.”
- Rep. David Valadao (R–Hanford) said that he supports the First Amendment right to peacefully protest, but the violence and vandalism in Los Angeles is unacceptable.
- “Standing for law and order should be common sense, and ICE should continue to prioritize the removal of known criminals from our country,” Valadao said. “With this resolution, California Republicans urge Governor Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass to condemn the chaos and work with the administration to restore peace to our streets.”
