California Rep. Linda Sanchez told CNN Monday that the rioters participating in the fiery Los Angeles ICE protests were no different than sports fans.
The California Democrat also used the appearance to blast the Trump Administration for sending both Marines and California National Guard members to the Golden State to deal to rioters who have set vehicles on fire and hurled bricks at law enforcement officers.
‘It’s no different than when a team wins a national championship & people get overexcited,’ Sanchez said, adding that the ‘vast majority of protestors have been peaceful.’
‘We have been calling for protestors to protest peacefully, that is their constitutional right. The vast majority of protestors have been peaceful. There are always a few bad actors.’
‘And yes, we think anybody who commits property damage ought to be arrested and ought to be prosecuted,’ Sanchez noted.
‘But to send in federal troops, or Marines when there isn’t a war atmosphere or a war circumstance going on, is just beyond the pail. It’s authoritarian flexing. It’s not making anyone safer.’
‘Local law enforcement has said they can handle the protest, it’s no different than when a team wins a national championship & people get overexcited, and they overturn vehicles and light them on fire, local law enforcement is prepared to handle those types of situations,’ Sanchez claimed.
Just before Sanchez’ CNN appearance, it was announced that 700 Marines would be mobilized to LA to assist the California National Guard in quelling the protests.
U.S. Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-CA) speaks on immigration at the U.S. Capitol on May 10, 2023
A man holds signs as a Waymo vehicles burn, as protesters clash with law enforcement in the streets surrounding the federal building during a protest following federal immigration operations in Los Angeles, California, on June 8, 2025
X users were quick to bite back against Sanchez’ remarks.
User @DevynPSmith wrote ‘@Breaking911 I remember when we won the state championship back in high school. We ordered in a bunch of taxis and lit them on fire. It was a grand ole time. The police came to check in on us, but we pushed them away because we were just a little overexcited.
Is this lady a satire writer?’
Another user who posts on X under the handle @juniorpazzzz had a quippier response, writing ‘Crime for the Democrats are excited is that it?’
User @sherry_kerdman asked ‘Who is buying this ridiculous analogy?’ before noting, ‘Not I.’
Representative Nanette Barragan (D-Calif.) who represents Paramount, the LA County community where the riots have taken place, said during a CNN appearance Sunday that even the National Guard troop deployment was not needed, and that the sheriffs on the ground ‘have the manpower that they need.’
Barragan also said that the president was ‘causing tensions to rise.’
A demonstrator points his finger towards members of the California National Guard during a protest against federal immigration sweeps in downtown Los Angeles, California, U.S. June 8, 2025
‘It’s only going to make things worse in a situation where people are already angry over immigration enforcement,’ Barragan added.
‘We are having an administration that’s targeting peaceful protests, people that are there to protest. The president is sending in the National Guard because he doesn’t like the scenes. He doesn’t like the scenes of people peacefully protesting,’ Barragan stated.
