Senator John Fetterman shattered Democratic Party unity by boldly calling out the violent riots in Los Angeles as “anarchy and true chaos.” The Pennsylvania Democrat shocked both liberals and conservatives with his unapologetic stand against political violence while fellow Democrats remained conspicuously silent on the mayhem engulfing the city.
Fetterman Breaks Ranks as LA Burns
Senator John Fetterman has emerged as an unlikely voice of reason within the Democratic Party as Los Angeles descended into chaos over immigration enforcement actions. The Pennsylvania Democrat shared images of burning cars and violence on social media, declaring “This is anarchy and true chaos” while criticizing fellow Democrats for refusing to condemn the destruction.
Fetterman’s frank assessment came as President Trump deployed 5,000 military personnel to restore order after local authorities failed to contain the unrest. “My party loses the moral high ground when we refuse to condemn setting cars on fire, destroying buildings, and assaulting law enforcement,” Fetterman stated, drawing immediate praise from conservatives and a pointed American flag emoji response from Elon Musk.
Conservatives Applaud Democrat’s Rare Honesty
Republican lawmakers and conservative commentators quickly rallied behind Fetterman’s stance, with Rep. Mike Lawler noting, “He is 💯 correct. As I have always said, anyone who engages in this type of conduct, whether in LA, in Minneapolis, in Portland, or on January 6th should be arrested and prosecuted.” Senator Katie Britt echoed the sentiment, stating, “Once again, my friend @JohnFetterman is simply telling the truth.”
Sen. John Fetterman scolded fellow Democrats for refusing to condemn the violent protests across Los Angeles: "This is anarchy and true chaos." https://t.co/sNkovHyGS1
— NEWSMAX (@NEWSMAX) June 10, 2025
The violence in Los Angeles has resulted in over 100 arrests as rioters set vehicles ablaze and attacked law enforcement officers. California Governor Gavin Newsom opposed Trump’s deployment of troops, filing a lawsuit against the administration while simultaneously struggling to restore order through state resources.
A New Direction for Democrats?
This isn’t the first time Fetterman has broken with Democratic orthodoxy, having previously supported Trump’s tough stance on Iran and criticized anti-Israel protests on college campuses. His willingness to acknowledge Trump’s strong support in Pennsylvania and call out his own party’s missteps during the 2024 election cycle has established him as a rare bridge between America’s divided political camps.
“I unapologetically stand for free speech, peaceful demonstrations, and immigration — but this is not that,” Fetterman declared, drawing a clear line between legitimate protest and criminal behavior. While most congressional Democrats accused Trump of creating a “manufactured crisis” to justify military deployment, Fetterman’s honest assessment of the situation has resonated with Americans tired of political spin covering obvious lawlessness.
Senator John Fetterman criticizes Dems for not more forcefully speaking out against the LA riots. We'll take it up today as @GillianHTurner and I sub for @DanaPerino and @BillHemmer on America's Newsroom today: https://t.co/SAlFUeFPe7
— John Roberts (@johnrobertsFox) June 10, 2025
The stark contrast between Fetterman’s forthright condemnation and his colleagues’ reluctance to acknowledge the violence highlights growing fractures within the Democratic Party. As Los Angeles continues to grapple with unrest, Fetterman’s principled stand serves as a rare moment of political clarity that transcends typical partisan divisions.
Sources:
Fetterman Calls California Protests ‘Anarchy’ as He Criticizes Democrats – The New York Times
Fetterman emerges as Dems’ ‘voice of reason’ as LA burns, conservatives say