House Oversight Investigates Newsom, Bass Over Los Angeles Protests

The House Oversight Committee, led by Chairman James Comer (R-KY) and Rep. Clay Higgins (R-LA), has launched an investigation into California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass regarding their handling of recent violent protests in Los Angeles related to federal immigration enforcement. The investigation accuses Newsom and Bass of opposing President Donald Trump's deployment of the National Guard and Marines to quell the protests, which included acts of violence such as vehicle arson and assaults on law enforcement with rocks and Molotov cocktails. Republicans criticize the California leaders for supporting sanctuary policies that hinder local cooperation with federal immigration authorities and for allegedly defending individuals involved in criminal and anti-American activities. Documents and communications between Newsom, Bass, and law enforcement agencies from June 1 onward have been requested, with a deadline set for June 20. The probe is the first congressional-level investigation into the riots, which escalated as ICE officers conducted immigration raids, and it includes requests for briefings and detailed records on weapons used by rioters. Democrats, opposing the ICE actions, have protested and faced arrests, while Trump’s administration has threatened to arrest officials who do not comply with federal enforcement directives.