Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) disputed Democratic lawmakers’ characterization that the riots in Los Angeles, California, are “peaceful protests.”
Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) was among those crafting a narrative that there are “peaceful protests” going on in the name of condemning U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids in the area. Cotton appeared on Fox News’s America’s Newsroom Monday to dispute that claim.
“What we can’t allow in this country is lawless violence against innocent civilians, against property, against federal personnel and federal facilities. I’m not sure what pictures and video Cory Booker saw from Los Angeles, calling it peaceful protests. What I saw was uncontrolled rioting,” Cotton said. “You had cars being set on fire, law enforcement being pelted with bricks and cement and frozen water bottles. You had people blocking, not just city streets, but major highways. And attacks on both local and federal law enforcement. We simply can’t allow that.”
.@TomCottonAR sets the record straight.
“What we can’t allow in this country is lawless violence against innocent civilians … I’m not sure what pictures and video Cory Booker saw from Los Angeles calling it ‘peaceful protest’ — what I saw was uncontrolled rioting.” pic.twitter.com/gyKmNTadGV
— Senate Republicans (@NRSC) June 9, 2025
Booker compared the Los Angeles riots and those on Jan. 6, 2021, claiming Trump hadn’t responded similarly to the two events. Instead, Booker blamed Trump for “sowing chaos” by carrying out ICE raids and deportations. The raids, according to Booker, did not focus on “violent criminals” like Trump promised on the campaign trail.
“The reality is we see peaceful protests launching in Los Angeles. And again, any violence against police officers should not be accepted. Local authorities can handle that. But remember, a lot of these peaceful protests are being generated because the president United States is sowing chaos and confusion by arresting people who are showing up for their immigration hearings, who are trying to abide by the law,” Booker said, claiming that Trump supporters were “outraged” over the ICE raids.
This followed Rep. Nanette Barragan (D-CA) appearing on CNN Sunday to claim that ICE was the first to escalate tensions amid the protests in LA that “started peacefully.”
CA DEMOCRAT CLAIMS ICE AGENTS WERE FIRST TO ‘ESCALATE THE SITUATION’ AMID LA RIOTS
Barragan also said she had spoken to local sheriffs who told her “they have things under control. There is no need for the National Guard. They have the manpower that they need.” However, the Los Angeles County Sheriff seemingly disputed Barragan’s claim that the protesters were peaceful, writing in a statement that they became “increasingly agitated” and demonstrated “violent behavior” toward police officers.
The National Guard, which is in force with 2,000 soldiers, is prepared to stay in the area for 30 days.