Democrat John Fetterman breaks ranks to condemn LA riots as “anarchy and true chaos,” winning praise from conservatives who see him as a voice of reason. The Pennsylvania Senator’s criticism of his own party for failing to condemn violent protests has sparked debate about the limits of free speech and the importance of law and order ahead of the 2024 election.
Fetterman Slams Democrats for Refusing to Condemn Violence
In a bold move that has conservatives applauding, Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman has publicly criticized fellow Democrats for their reluctance to condemn violent riots in Los Angeles. The Democratic lawmaker shared a photo on social media showing a car engulfed in flames with a person waving a Mexican flag, calling the situation “anarchy and true chaos.”
Fetterman’s comments come as President Trump deployed 5,000 military personnel to Los Angeles, citing the failure of state and local authorities to control 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 a clear line between peaceful protest and criminal behavior.
Conservatives Rally Behind Democrat’s Stance on Law and Order
The Pennsylvania Senator’s straightforward approach has earned him praise from conservatives who have long criticized Democrats for being soft on crime and political violence. Elon Musk responded to Fetterman’s comments with an American flag emoji, while Republican Rep. Mike Lawler tweeted in support: “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.”
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
This isn’t the first time Fetterman has broken with Democratic orthodoxy, having previously denounced anti-Israel protests on college campuses and supporting some of President Trump’s Middle East policies. His willingness to speak against the grain has made him something of an anomaly in today’s highly polarized political landscape, with Alabama Senator Katie Britt noting, “Once again, my friend @JohnFetterman is simply telling the truth.”
LA Riots Expose Deep Political Divisions Over Immigration and Law Enforcement
The violence in Los Angeles has resulted in more than 100 arrests as protestors clash with authorities over immigration enforcement. California Governor Gavin Newsom, predictably opposing President Trump’s decisive action, has sued the Trump administration while deploying additional law enforcement resources of his own.
“I unapologetically stand for free speech, peaceful demonstrations, and immigration—but this is not that. This is anarchy and true chaos,” Fetterman declared, refusing to accept the left-wing narrative that downplays the severity of the riots.
Democratic leaders in Congress have accused Trump of creating a “manufactured crisis” to justify military deployment, with Rep. Jimmy Gomez calling it “a deliberate attempt by Trump to incite unrest, test the limits of executive power, and distract from the lawlessness of his administration.” Meanwhile, conservative commentator Eyal Yakoby praised Fetterman as “once again a voice of reason within the Democrat party.”
As the nation heads toward the 2024 election, Fetterman’s principled stance highlights the growing divide between traditional Democrats who respect law and order and the radical wing that often refuses to condemn political violence. Fox News Digital sought further comments from Fetterman’s office but did not receive an immediate response.
Sources:
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/10/us/politics/fetterman-la-protests-anarchy.html
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/fetterman-emerges-dems-voice-reason-la-burns-conservatives-say