A Democratic congresswoman from California is under fire after a viral video showed her telling ICE agents to evacuate Los Angeles during a wave of violent protests in the city. Rep. Norma Torres, who represents a district in Southern California, made the comments as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted operations that led to chaos in several neighborhoods.
In a TikTok video posted Friday, Torres said, “ICE, get the f‑‑‑ out of LA so that order can be restored.” Her remarks came as ICE officers faced off with demonstrators who were protesting the agency’s enforcement actions across Los Angeles. The protests quickly escalated into violent clashes, with rioters setting cars on fire and attacking federal vehicles with rocks and bottles.
Conservative critics blasted the congresswoman’s message, calling it inflammatory and reckless. The popular conservative account Libs of TikTok wrote on X, “This is a sitting member of Congress,” with others labeling Torres as a “lunatic.” Arizona state Sen. Wendy Rogers said Torres should be expelled from Congress. Some commentators accused the congresswoman of encouraging an insurrection against federal law enforcement.
Federal officials confirmed that ICE operations in the Los Angeles area resulted in over 40 arrests, many of whom had prior convictions, including for assault and narcotics. Homeland Security officials defended the actions, stating they were targeting individuals with criminal histories who posed public safety threats.
President Trump responded by deploying 2,000 National Guard troops to the Los Angeles area to assist with maintaining order. “These Radical Left protests, by instigators and often paid troublemakers, will NOT BE TOLERATED. Also, from now on, MASKS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED to be worn at protests. What do these people have to hide, and why???” Trump said on Truth Social.
Trump went on to add: “I am directing Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and Attorney General Pam Bondi, in coordination with all other relevant Departments and Agencies, to take all such action necessary to liberate Los Angeles from the Migrant Invasion, and put an end to these Migrant riots. Order will be restored, the Illegals will be expelled, and Los Angeles will be set free. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
California leaders pushed back on the federal response. Governor Gavin Newsom accused President Trump of provoking unrest for political purposes, stating on X: “Trump is sending 2,000 National Guard troops into LA County — not to meet an unmet need, but to manufacture a crisis.”
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass spoke out in response to troop deployment, stating, “Deploying federalized troops on the heels of these raids is a chaotic escalation. The fear people are feeling in our city right now is very real – it’s felt in our communities and within our families and it puts our neighborhoods at risk.”
Authorities confirmed more than 40 arrests during the federal immigration raids in LA. Among those detained were individuals with criminal histories, including charges of assault and drug offenses, underlining the administration’s argument that the operation aimed to protect communities
As tensions continue in Southern California, federal officials have warned that any further violence against law enforcement will be met with arrests and prosecution.
