The city of Los Angeles witnessed a surge of tension as California Democratic lawmaker Rep. Norma Torres released a controversial video on TikTok amidst violent protests against federal immigration operations. In her message, delivered on Friday, Torres demanded, "ICE get the f— out of LA so that order can be restored," which has since sparked a firestorm of criticism from conservative circles.
Born in Guatemala and naturalized as a U.S. citizen in the 1990s, Torres' statement comes at a time when Los Angeles is grappling with increasingly violent confrontations between protesters and federal immigration agents. The protests, originally aimed at immigration raids, have since degenerated into chaos, with ICE officers facing rock-throwing and vandalism, including incendiary graffiti.
Conservative influencers and political figures were quick to respond to Torres' post, spreading their condemnation across social media platforms. The account Libs of TikTok, a conservative influencer, highlighted the congresswoman's role by posting, "This is a sitting member of Congress." Paul Szypula, another influencer, escalated the rhetoric by labeling Torres as "a complete lunatic." White House director of communications Steven Cheung went so far as to describe her behavior as akin to "demonic possession."
The backlash extended to calls for serious consequences, with Sen. Wendy Rogers (R-AZ) demanding Torres' expulsion from Congress, while influencer Catturd tweeted, "Arrest her now." James Lindsay, an author, accused Torres of harboring communist sympathies. Conservative commentator Stephen L. Miller saw an opportunity for political strategy, suggesting the statement be used for advertising with a succinct "Make it an ad" post.
Amid the social media storm, Fox News Digital reached out to Torres' office for a statement regarding the growing controversy, but as of yet, there has been no response.
The timing of Torres' statement is pivotal; it coincides with an escalation in violence against federal immigration enforcement officers. President Trump responded to the unrest by deploying 2,000 National Guard soldiers to help maintain order—a move reminiscent of the 2020 response to protests in Minnesota, which Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem referenced to emphasize the necessity of preventing a similar scenario.
Photographic evidence of the violence was shared by U.S. Border Patrol Chief Michael Banks, including an image of a bloodied hand of a Border Patrol agent, wounded by a rock that shattered a vehicle windshield. Several arrests have been made, underscoring federal authorities' commitment to prosecuting those who perpetrate attacks on immigration enforcement officers.
As the situation in Los Angeles remains volatile, the nation watches closely. The events unfolding raise significant questions about the role of federal agencies in localities, the rhetoric of elected officials, and the broader implications for immigration policy and public safety.
