Vice President JD Vance stirred political tensions during a visit to Los Angeles on Friday, where he doubled down on the federal government’s decision to deploy troops to control protests sparked by immigration raids. He also accused top Democratic leaders in California of encouraging illegal immigration and failing to support law enforcement.
Speaking after meeting some of the 700 U.S. Marines and 4,000 National Guard troops currently stationed in the city, Vance declared that the military presence would remain in Los Angeles for the foreseeable future. The deployment, ordered by President Donald Trump earlier this month, came after widespread protests erupted in response to workplace immigration raids conducted by ICE agents.
“This is not just a local issue—it’s about protecting the integrity of our borders and enforcing the laws of this country,” Vance said. “The soldiers and Marines are still very much necessary here because there’s real concern the protests could reignite.”
The move, however, has faced fierce backlash from California officials, including Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. Newsom, a vocal critic of Trump’s immigration policies, argued the deployment only escalated tensions and was an unconstitutional overreach. Earlier this week, a U.S. appeals court ruled that President Trump could maintain control over California’s National Guard, further fueling the debate.
During his visit, Vance openly criticized both Newsom and Bass, accusing them of enabling undocumented immigration and turning their backs on law enforcement agencies. “They’ve treated Border Patrol as though it’s an illegitimate force,” Vance said. “But these men and women are enforcing laws passed by the American people, and they deserve our full support.”
He added that Democratic leaders have failed to back state and local police, a move he claims has emboldened agitators and weakened public trust in law enforcement.
In response, officials pushed back strongly. Diana Crofts-Pelayo, a spokesperson for Governor Newsom, called Vance’s comments “categorically false,” citing the governor’s repeated condemnation of violence and support for peaceful protest.
“The governor has consistently made his position clear,” she said, pointing to a June 9 post by Newsom on X (formerly Twitter), where he warned that “foolish agitators” exploiting Trump’s policies would be held accountable.
Mayor Karen Bass also didn’t hold back, accusing Vance of spreading misinformation. In a press conference, she referred to the Vice President’s claims as “lies and nonsense,” and argued that the military deployment has only instilled “terror and fear” among Los Angeles residents—many of whom come from immigrant backgrounds.
Bass and Newsom both argue that the protests were made worse by Trump’s provocative actions, and not by any failure on their part to maintain public order.
As Vance positions himself as a leading figure within the Republican Party—potentially preparing for a future presidential run—the visit underscores the deep divide between red and blue states on immigration, public safety, and federal authority. With Newsom also seen as a potential 2028 contender, Friday’s exchange may be a preview of political battles to come.
