Senate’s No. 2 Dem denies party members labeled violent LA protests ‘peaceful’
Fox News reported that Sen. Dick Durbin, a Democrat from Illinois, denied hearing his party colleagues describe the anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles as “peaceful.” When asked about the riots in L.A., Durbin condemned violence in any form, whether it be in the Capitol or in Los Angeles.
Despite Durbin’s claim, other Democratic leaders have indeed referred to the ongoing chaos in Los Angeles as “peaceful.” Sen. Cory Booker, a Democrat from New Jersey, stated on “Meet the Press” that the protests were generated due to President Trump sowing chaos. Similarly, Sen. Alex Padilla from California emphasized that the majority of protesters are peaceful and passionate.
Critics, including Fox News contributor Guy Benson, fired back at former Vice President Kamala Harris for calling the chaos in Los Angeles “overwhelmingly peaceful.” They criticized the Democratic Party’s response to the situation and accused them of blaming Trump and ICE instead of condemning the violent rioters.
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also faced backlash for describing the situation in Los Angeles as peaceful. She pointed out that California Governor Newsom did not request the National Guard deployment, but Trump sent them anyway, accusing the president of causing chaos for his own benefit.
While there were initially peaceful protests, the situation escalated into violence, including property destruction, looting, and attacks on law enforcement. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass implemented a citywide curfew to address the escalating violence.
In a rare instance of intraparty dissent, Sen. John Fetterman, a Democrat from Pennsylvania, criticized his own party for failing to condemn the violence in Los Angeles. He emphasized the importance of peaceful demonstrations and free speech but condemned the destruction of property and assaults on law enforcement.
The ongoing chaos in Los Angeles has sparked a debate within the Democratic Party about how to address the situation and condemn the violence while still supporting peaceful protests. The conflicting statements from party leaders highlight the challenges of navigating the complex political landscape surrounding the protests.
