CA Gubernatorial Candidates Weigh-In on ICE Immigration Raid Protests and Gov. Newsom’s Response

As the ICE immigration raid protests and riots enter their fourth day in Los Angeles, things continue to escalate. 700 Marines have joined the California National Guard and local law enforcement agencies in quelling the disruption. Downtown LA has been declared an unlawful assembly area. Waymo robotaxis have been set on fire. Governor Gavin Newsom has sued the federal government over President Donald Trump activating National Guards troops in the state without his ok. And Trump and other federal officials have started to talk about possibly arresting the Governor.

Throughout all of this, lawmakers have been reacting to the riots in California, with views ranging from backing police and condemning the riots, to villainizing Trump and supporting the rioters. And since this happened right as the 2026 Gubernatorial race is just under the one year mark until primary day June 2, 2026, candidates and potential candidates have weighed in. And some responses went so far as to make national news.

Many directly went after Trump.

“Trump’s military-style mass deportation ICE raids in California have gone too far, tearing families apart and threatening public safety,” said former Los Angeles Mayor and 2026 Gubernatorial candidate Antonio Villaraigosa (D) on X. “The raids at stores and workplaces are wrong, just as it’s wrong to separate families with raids at schools, graduations, and churches. Now Trump is escalating division with his unnecessary, unilateral deployment of California’s National Guard, which is clearly meant to incite more fear and chaos into our community. Trump has no interest in protecting civil and constitutional rights.”

“Violent protests are not the answer, and I condemn them,” added Villaraigosa in a statement on Monday. “Don’t give Trump the chaos and violence he wants. We must fight Trump’s hatred and chaos with peace and non-violence.”

“Trump is acting like a dictator—deploying the military against its own citizens, threatening the arrest of elected officials, charging peaceful political opponents like David Huerta on dubious charges because they expressed their 1st amendment rights,” posted former Congresswoman and 2026 Gubernatorial candidate Katie Porter (D) on X. “Speak up and speak out—peacefully. The future of our country and our democracy depends on all of us.”

Then there was former Vice President, and speculative gubernatorial candidate, Kamala Harris’ (D) response.

“I am appalled at what we are witnessing on the streets of our city,” noted Harris. “Deploying the National Guard is a dangerous escalation meant to provoke chaos. In addition to the recent ICE raids in Southern California and across the nation, it is part of the Trump administration’s cruel, calculated agenda to spread panic and division.

“The administration’s actions are not about public safety. They’re about stoking fear. Fear of a community demanding dignity and due process. Protest is a powerful tool. And as the LAPD, Mayor and Governor have noted, demonstrations in defense of our immigrant neighbors have been overwhelmingly peaceful.”

Harris blaming President Trump for “starting the ICE protests” received a mixed reaction, with some pointing out her bravery for saying that, while others condemned those words. In the latter camp was Riverside County Sheriff and 2026 candidate Chad Bianco (R).

“President Trump didn’t start these riots. He’s not out there lighting cars on fire, hurling projectiles at law enforcement or blocking freeways. This statement is an embarrassment and does nothing to diffuse the violent riots taking place across the city,” said Bianco. “The Democrats and their ‘leaders’ own this. Gavin Newsom, Kamala Harris, Karen Bass and the Democrats want you to think this is a ‘peaceful protest.’ Don’t let them gaslight you. This is Gavin’s Lawless California. Our state deserves better.

“An adherence to law is an absolute requirement if we are to remain a civilized society.”

Steve Hilton (R), a Fox News contributor and fellow 2026 Republican Gubernatorial candidate, also weighed in supporting the President’s actions and condemning Harris’ statement.

“In this appalling statement you are siding with violent criminals over California  communities; rioters over law enforcement; illegal immigrants over legal immigrants and American citizens. You are a pandering machine politician who should never hold public office again.”

With ICE raids, deportation, illegal immigrations, and now the protests and riots themselves likely to be major issues in the Gubernatorial race, candidates will likely continue to weigh in as the protests continue on in Los Angeles.