Vice President J.D. Vance issued a stark warning during his visit to Los Angeles on June 20, 2025, amid mounting tensions over federal immigration raids and violent protests. Speaking firmly on behalf of the Trump administration, Vance declared that unless local leaders begin enforcing immigration laws, the National Guard will remain deployed in the city.
“If California won’t enforce its own immigration laws, we will—and we’ll keep the National Guard here to do it,” Vance told reporters.
The visit comes after President Trump deployed 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines to Southern California earlier this month following unrest triggered by ICE workplace raids. The move marked one of the most aggressive federal responses to immigration protests in modern U.S. history.
🛑 Vance Targets Newsom and Bass
During his visit, Vance directly criticized Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass, accusing them of “undermining law enforcement” and encouraging defiance against federal immigration policies. He claimed their rhetoric had “egged on violent protesters,” a charge both officials vehemently denied.
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Mayor Bass fired back, calling Vance’s comments “lies and utter nonsense.”
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Governor Newsom’s office dismissed the accusations as “categorically false.”
Vance’s fiery remarks highlight the deepening political rift between the federal government and California, especially over the state’s longstanding sanctuary city policies.
📸 No Local Media, Major Misstep
Adding to the controversy, Vance barred local journalists from attending his press briefing—a decision widely criticized as lacking transparency. Even more damaging, he mistakenly referred to Senator Alex Padilla as “José Padilla,” confusing him with a convicted terrorist. Critics pounced on the gaffe, calling it insulting and racially charged.
Senator Padilla later responded on social media, accusing Vance of “reckless political theater and dangerous fearmongering.”
⚖️ Legal Challenges Mount
The presence of military forces in Los Angeles has sparked a national legal debate. Civil liberties groups argue the deployment may violate the Posse Comitatus Act, which limits the use of federal troops for domestic law enforcement. Although a federal judge is reviewing the legality, the Ninth Circuit Court recently ruled in favor of allowing the deployment to continue—at least temporarily.
The Trump administration maintains that the action is legal under the National Emergencies Act and necessary due to local failure to uphold federal law.
🔍 Political Stakes Rising
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The immigration showdown is quickly becoming a national political flashpoint, with Vance and Newsom both seen as potential presidential contenders in 2028.
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Trump’s hardline immigration agenda is once again at the center of public discourse, reigniting debates over federalism, public safety, and civil rights.
📌 Conclusion
Vice President Vance’s visit to Los Angeles reflects the Trump administration’s unwavering stance on immigration enforcement and state cooperation. By threatening to maintain a military presence in one of America’s largest cities, the White House is escalating both the legal and political stakes. As lawsuits move forward and protests continue, the national immigration debate is reaching a breaking point.
