White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Stephen Miller on Tuesday strongly criticized comments made by Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, calling her remarks “the definition of insurrection” in response to her statements blaming the Trump administration for recent unrest in the city.

The comments from Bass were made following federal immigration enforcement operations carried out in Los Angeles by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

In her remarks, Mayor Bass said, “We need to stop the raids,” referring to ICE’s apprehension of individuals in the city.

Trump's Sovereign Wealth Fund: What Could It Mean For Your Money?

“It is not warranted, and it does anything — the only thing it does is contribute to chaos,” Bass said.

“This was chaos that was started in Washington, DC. On Thursday the city was peaceful. On Friday it was not because of the intervention of the federal government.”

Bass’s comments attempted to link the presence and operations of federal immigration enforcement agents in Los Angeles with the civil unrest.

Los Angeles Police Chief disputes her claims.

The LA riots explain how the Democrats lost the working class. Immigration is an economic issue dividing the elites, most of whom are now Democrats, from labor. When the Democrats white knight for illegal migrants, they’re white knighting for Martha’s Vineyard. Thanks… pic.twitter.com/xoqd8fbVuk

— Batya Ungar-Sargon (@bungarsargon) June 10, 2025

This Could Be the Most Important Video Gun Owners Watch All Year

She did not address the nature of the individuals who were targeted in the raids.

Stephen Miller, responding to Bass’s remarks, issued a sharp rebuke.

“The threat being made here by Mayor Bass is explicit,” Miller said.

“The Mayor of LA is effectively saying the mob violence is caused by the mere presence of ICE in the city and the violence against ICE will not stop unless federal law enforcement is withdrawn from the city. This is the definition of insurrection.”

Miller went on to accuse California leadership of attempting to override federal immigration authority.

“LA and CA leadership demand the right to illegally import unlimited foreigners into America, to control America’s entire immigration policy by fiat — and if they are not so permitted they will allow mobs to target ICE with impunity,” he said.

He added, “They are demanding the nullification of the election results, of federal law, of national sovereignty, and of the bedrock constitutional command of one national government.”

The threat being made here by Mayor Bass is explicit. The Mayor of LA is effectively saying the mob violence is caused by the mere presence of ICE in the city and the violence against ICE will not stop unless federal law enforcement is withdrawn from the city. This is the… https://t.co/actyYUoxHw

— Stephen Miller (@StephenM) June 10, 2025

The Department of Homeland Security has released information about the individuals arrested during the ICE operations referenced by Bass.

Among those arrested, several had significant criminal histories. One individual was convicted of child molestation and possession of a dangerous weapon.

Others had convictions for sexual battery, domestic violence, grand larceny, assault with intent to commit rape, EBT fraud, drug trafficking involving cocaine and heroin, and willful cruelty to a child.

The federal operations were conducted as part of ICE’s ongoing enforcement strategy targeting individuals with prior criminal convictions who are unlawfully present in the United States.

Despite the public safety rationale provided by federal officials, Mayor Bass has continued to oppose the operations, emphasizing local control and calling for the cessation of ICE activity in the city.

The exchange underscores the ongoing conflict between federal immigration enforcement and local jurisdictions that have adopted policies limiting cooperation with federal authorities.

Los Angeles is among several U.S. cities that have declared themselves “sanctuary cities,” seeking to restrict local involvement in federal immigration enforcement efforts.

The situation continues to highlight a broader national debate over immigration policy, federal jurisdiction, and the role of local government in enforcing immigration laws.

The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of DrewBerquist.com. Contact us for guidelines on submitting your own commentary.