House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chair James Comer (R-Ky.) is launching an investigation into California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass (D) over their handling of demonstrations that broke out in the city this week over President Trump’s immigration policies.
“Claims were made that state and local law enforcement had protests under control, however, police were clearly unable to quell the violence in Los Angeles prior to the arrival of the National Guardsmen,” Comer and Rep. Clay Higgins (R-La.), who chairs the Subcommittee on Federal Law Enforcement, wrote in letters to the two California Democrats.
“You have championed California’s sanctuary policies, which prevent local law enforcement’s cooperation with federal immigration authorities,” the lawmakers wrote. “You have also made it clear that you intend to block the objectives of the federal government, and defend aliens, regardless of their immigration status, criminal activity, anti-American views, or incitement to riot.”
The two House Republicans requested that Newsom and Bass hand over all documents and communications related to the demonstrations among their two offices, state law enforcement, local law enforcement, and federal entities by June 27.
The committee also requested “all records and communications including video and dispatch logs, regarding the source of weapons (including rocks and cinderblocks) used by rioters.”
The House investigation comes after Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), who serves as chair of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism, launched his own investigation into whether the Los Angeles protesters are funded by a local nonprofit.
Hawley requested a history of internal communications and financial records from the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights to address allegations that it is fueling chaos in California.
Newsom, Bass and Democrats have hit back at Republican criticism of the unrest in Los Angeles, arguing that Trump has provoked violence through his administration’s use of deportations and deployment of the National Guard and Marines to the city.
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