Issa calls for probe into LAPD’s delayed response to ICE officers
California GOP Congressman Darrell Issa is demanding a full investigation into the response time of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) during a violent protest that erupted in the city on Friday night. The protest, which was in response to ICE raids, saw over 1,000 rioters surrounding a federal law enforcement building and assaulting ICE officers.
According to a press release from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the ICE officers had to wait for two hours for assistance from the LAPD. This delay in response time has raised concerns and prompted Issa to call for a Congressional investigation into the matter.
LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell has pushed back against DHS’ claim, stating that the actual response time was 40 minutes due to traffic. However, Assistant DHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlin has stood by the department’s original claim that it took the LAPD two hours to respond to the ICE officers under attack.
The violence that ensued during the protest resulted in law enforcement officers being injured and attacked with projectiles and fireworks. LAPD announced that 50 arrests had been made, with charges including attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon on an officer. Five LAPD officers and five LAPD horses sustained minor injuries during the unrest.
Issa has raised concerns about the political leadership in California instructing the LAPD to stand down and not respond to the emergency requests of the ICE agents. He emphasized the need to determine if any political influence led to the delayed response to the ICE officers who were under attack by rioters.
Despite some peaceful protesters, the violence that occurred during the protest has sparked criticism of Democratic leadership in California for blaming President Donald Trump for the unrest and referring to the protests as “peaceful.” Issa’s call for an investigation aims to shed light on the events that unfolded during the protest and ensure accountability for the delayed response by the LAPD.
