Congressional Republicans investigate how Newsom, Bass handled LA protests
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- House Republicans launched a probe into LA protest responses by Newsom and Bass.
- Lawmakers requested protest-related communications and law enforcement records.
- Newsom’s office pledged transparency, questioned potential White House disclosures.
Congressional Republicans launched an investigation Friday into violent protests in Los Angeles over the past week, including how Gov. Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass responded to them.
The lawmakers — Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., who chairs the House Oversight Committee, and Rep. Clay Higgins, R-La., chairman of the Subcommittee on Federal Law Enforcement — requested documents and communications between Newsom, Bass and law enforcement agencies.
Protesters clashed with federal agents conducting immigration raids in L.A. last weekend, throwing rocks at law enforcement vehicles while police used tear gas and flashbangs to disperse crowds.
“In response to this violence, on June 8, 2025, President Donald Trump deployed the National Guard. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and yourself protested President Trump’s action to quell the violence caused by the rioters in Los Angeles, even resorting to falsely blaming him for the actions of violent rioters,” the congressmen wrote to Newsom. “You falsely claimed 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.”
Newsom objected to Trump’s takeover of the National Guard and sued, securing a federal order for Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to relinquish control of the Guard, which is currently paused pending an appeal.
“You champion California’s sanctuary policies, which prevent local law enforcement’s cooperation with federal immigration authorities. 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 Republicans wrote to Newsom.
The Governor’s Office responded to the probe with a cryptic statement: “House Republicans are requesting records that will include some highly unusual communications from the White House. We’re good with transparency. Will the White House say the same?
“Hope they’re ready. We sure are.”
Newsom and Bass have until June 20 to turn over their communications, as well as video and dispatch logs related to the conflict to the House Oversight Committee.
