James Comer (R-KY), the chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, has initiated an investigation into California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass (D). This investigation will address city-wide protests related to President Trump’s immigration policies starting this week.
“It was reportedly state and local law enforcement that was protesting, but the police struggled to effectively manage the violence in Los Angeles prior to the National Guard’s arrival,” stated Rep. Clay Higgins (R-La.), chair of the Federal Law Enforcement Subcommittee, in a letter directed to the two California Democrats.
“You have supported California’s sanctuary policies, which impede cooperation with local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities,” the lawmaker continued. “You’ve also made it clear that you will obstruct federal efforts and defend individuals regardless of their immigration status, criminal behavior, anti-American sentiments, or incitement to insurrection.”
The two House Republicans have requested that all documents and communications pertaining to the demonstrations be submitted by June 27th from Newsom and Bass, encompassing interactions between the state law enforcement, local agencies, and federal organizations.
The committee is also seeking “all records and communications, including videos and dispatch logs concerning the weapons used by rioters (such as rocks and cinder blocks).”
This House investigation follows an inquiry initiated by Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), who leads the Judicial Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism. He is looking into potential funding of Los Angeles protesters by local nonprofits.
Hawley has requested internal communications and financial records from the Coalition for Humanitarian Immigration Rights to investigate allegations driving unrest in California.
In response, Newsom, Bass, and other Democrats have countered Republican critiques of the Los Angeles turmoil, asserting that Trump’s policies, including deportations and the deployment of the National Guard and Marines to urban areas, have incited the violence.
Source: thehill.com