House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries declined Monday to label recent violent demonstrations in Los Angeles as “riots,” instead referring to the unrest as “certainly… unrest” when asked by the Daily Caller News Foundation how he would vote on a Republican-led resolution condemning the events.
“Obviously I disagree with the classification of the notion that there were riots in Los Angeles, certainly there was unrest,” Jeffries said.
“We will not be lectured by extreme MAGA Republicans about questions of law and order. Are you kidding me?”
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The top House Democrat’s comments come amid ongoing fallout from a series of violent confrontations between anti-ICE protestors and law enforcement in Los Angeles.
The incidents included the use of commercial-grade fireworks and Molotov cocktails, assaults on federal agents, and widespread property damage.
City officials estimate the costs associated with the unrest to exceed $32 million.
Jeffries dismissed a direct question about how he plans to vote on the measure, which was introduced by Rep. Young Kim (R-CA) and co-sponsored by other California House Republicans.
NEW: CNN’s Ashley Allison assures viewers that there are no riots in Los Angeles because she was “literally” just there.
Wow, case closed!
“I literally left Los Angeles Sunday night … There are not riots in the street.”
“We have to be careful with the language we use because… pic.twitter.com/0y5gAH6SH6
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) June 11, 2025
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The resolution, which refers to the violence as “riots” five times in its text, condemns what it describes as a breakdown in public safety and criticizes Democratic leaders for failing to restore order.
“[T]hese protests quickly escalated into violent riots across Los Angeles… rioters have shot commercial grade fireworks and thrown Molotov cocktails at Los Angeles Police Department officers and assaulted Federal agents,” the resolution states.
Pressed further, Jeffries shifted focus to President Donald Trump, criticizing Republican lawmakers for what he described as selective concern for public safety.
“Republicans aren’t the party of law and order, they’re the party of lawlessness and disorder,” Jeffries told reporters.
“They’re phonies — get lost.”
House Republicans are pushing ahead with a vote on the resolution, which could come as early as Wednesday.
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) urged Democrats to join Republicans in condemning the violence.
“Will Democrats stand with us against these violent riots, or continue to condone this destructive behavior because it aligns with their agenda?” Scalise wrote in his weekly floor preview.
The resolution also takes aim at California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, accusing both of failing to respond effectively to the escalating violence and of not adequately supporting local law enforcement personnel.
“[They failed] to contain the rapidly escalating disorder” and “[failed] to support overwhelmed law enforcement personnel,” the resolution reads.
🚨 WATCH: Congresswoman Young Kim breaks down her new resolution condemning violence in LA pic.twitter.com/70SWJqIfRv
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) June 10, 2025
Jeffries did say that individuals who engaged in criminal activity should be held responsible.
“Anyone who committed a crime — including assaulting law enforcement or looting — should be held accountable,” he told the Daily Caller News Foundation.
Rep. Kim said last week she expects bipartisan support for the resolution, stating, “Condemning violent riots and standing up for public safety should not be a partisan issue.”
The vote will serve as a litmus test for where House Democrats stand on the classification of violent political demonstrations and how party leadership will address the growing divide over public safety, law enforcement support, and political protest.
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