Former US Vice President Kamala Harris has come under intense criticism following her public remarks on the escalating protests in Los Angeles, which were triggered by recent federal immigration raids and the controversial deployment of the National Guard by President Donald Trump.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Harris wrote:
“Los Angeles is my home. And like so many Americans, I am appalled at what we are witnessing on the streets of our city. Deploying the National Guard is a dangerous escalation meant to promote chaos… It is part of the Trump administration’s cruel, calculated agenda to spread panic and division.”
Harris denounced the administration’s immigration enforcement actions, describing them as “not about public safety – but about stoking fear” in immigrant communities. She praised the largely peaceful nature of the protests, echoing statements made by California Governor Gavin Newsom, the LAPD, and Los Angeles Mayor.
“Protest is a powerful tool – essential in the fight for justice,” Harris added. “I continue to support millions of Americans who are standing up to protect our most fundamental rights and freedoms.”
Online Backlash
The response to Harris’s statement was immediate and vitriolic, particularly from conservative users and pro-law enforcement voices. Many took to social media accusing Harris of “defending violence” and “spreading misinformation” about the nature of the protests.
A user responded:
“You’re a liar! Your claim of peaceful protests is baseless—DHS reports 118 arrests today in LA due to violent riots against ICE officers.”
Others accused her of siding with “violent illegal migrants” and undermining federal law enforcement. One popular post read:
“KAMALA HARRIS SUPPORTS VIOLENCE AGAINST LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS TO PROTECT VIOLENT ILLEGAL MIGRANTS FROM DEPORTATION!”
Another comment stated:
“These deportations are 100% the fault of the Biden administration, and you were a significant part of that problem.”
Critics also cited Department of Homeland Security data alleging property damage, assaults on officers, and defaced government property. The rhetoric online quickly escalated into accusations of betrayal, with some users stating that her stance shows why “America dodged a bullet” by rejecting her in national elections.
A Divided Narrative
The firestorm around Harris’s comments underscores the deep divisions in America’s immigration debate. While Harris and many Democrats frame the protests as a civil rights issue and an expression of public dissent against inhumane policies, critics argue that such statements embolden lawlessness and discredit federal authority.
The controversy comes as tensions continue to escalate in Los Angeles, with National Guard troops, LAPD units, and federal agents deployed to control unrest surrounding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids.
Harris has not issued any follow-up clarification or comment since the online backlash began.
As protests continue and the political temperature rises, Kamala Harris’s remarks have once again thrust her into the center of the polarized national conversation—one that shows no signs of cooling down.