The House Oversight Committee is launching an investigation into Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) and Los Angeles Democratic Mayor Karen Bass as the protests over federal immigration policies continue in California.
Chairman James Comer (R-KY) and Rep. Clay Higgins (R-LA) are leading the investigation, which is requesting that Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel provide documents on “acts of violence against law enforcement officers in California.”
The lawmakers sent letters to Newsom and Bass on Friday, accusing the state leaders of protesting President Donald Trump’s decision to send the National Guard and deploy Marines to California to quell the protests. Some demonstrations have resulted in violence, with cars being set on fire and people looting businesses.
“You champion California’s sanctuary policies, which prevent local law enforcement’s cooperation with federal immigration authorities,” the lawmakers wrote. “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.”
Newsom and Bass are required to provide communications from June 1 to the present, no later than June 20. Among the documents requested are communications between the governor’s and mayor’s offices, communications with local law enforcement, and records that detail weapons being used by rioters, “(including rocks and cinderblocks).”
The Oversight Committee’s investigation is the first at the congressional level into the riots, as Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers have been sweeping the streets in an effort to remove illegal immigrants.
Trump and members of his administration have threatened to arrest government officials, including Newsom, who don’t comply with White House policies and federal enforcement. Democrats, who are opposed to the ICE arrests, have sided with protesters and even been arrested outside detention facilities, including Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-NJ), who was indicted for allegedly interfering with federal police.
PADILLA HANDCUFFING IGNITES FIRESTORM ON CAPITOL HILL AS DEMOCRATS DEMAND ACTION
Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA) was handcuffed and forced to the ground by law enforcement officials on Thursday after interrupting a press conference held by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in California, with the department accusing him of doing so “without identifying himself or having his Senate security pin on.” In a widely circulated video, he is filmed saying, “I’m Senator Alex Padilla. I have questions for the secretary.”
The incident ignited a firestorm on Capitol Hill as Democrats demand Republican leaders denounce the administration’s treatment of the senator and Republicans accuse Padilla of wanting a viral moment for political purposes.
The Washington Examiner reached out to Newsom, Bass, Oversight Committee ranking member Stephen Lynch (D-MA), and federal law enforcement subcommittee ranking member Summer Lee (D-PA) for comment.