LA Riots: Police Union Boss Slams Newsom, Warns Anti-ICE Protesters of Force

Los Angeles is bracing for turbulence as anti-ICE protests spiral into riots, and the city’s police union chief, Jamie McBride, isn’t mincing words. With 35 years on the LAPD, McBride, now heading the Los Angeles Police Protective League, issued a blunt warning to troublemakers: "If you come out swinging violently, you’re going to jail. Cameras are everywhere, and we’ll track you down." His message comes as recent arrests of criminal undocumented immigrants have ignited tensions in the city.

LAPD officers are holding steady, McBride says, but they’re ready to use "reasonable force" to quash any chaos. "Don’t cry foul after you assault an officer or break the law," he added, emphasizing accountability for rioters. Unlike his predecessor, new District Attorney Nathan Hochman is poised to prosecute offenders aggressively, a shift McBride praises as a return to tough-on-crime policies.

But McBride’s sharpest barbs were aimed at California’s leadership. He called Governor Gavin Newsom an "absolute idiot" for opposing federal assistance, like National Guard or U.S. Marines, to curb the violence. "Newsom’s soft-on-crime stance is pouring fuel on this fire," McBride said, tying the governor’s policies to California’s high crime and tax rates. He also criticized Mayor Karen Bass for being "overwhelmed" and urged her to request federal aid before the unrest escalates further this weekend.

Newsom’s office pushed back, claiming California’s violent and property crime rates have dropped and that the state’s taxes are near the national average. Bass’ office remained silent. As Los Angeles teeters on edge, McBride’s call for order underscores a city grappling with deep divisions and a leadership rift.