Fetterman Calls California Protests 'Anarchy' as He Criticizes Democrats

[AStern]

The Pennsylvania senator warned that his party would lose “the moral high ground” if it did not go further in condemning acts of destruction or violence, which local officials said were under control.

Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania warned fellow Democrats that they could face a political backlash if they were seen as failing to sufficiently condemn acts of violence by protesters in Southern California, which local officials have said were limited.

On Monday, he posted a photo on social media of a car engulfed in flames and a masked, shirtless person waving a Mexican flag. He suggested that Democrats — many of whom have in fact criticized acts of destruction or violence — should go further in denouncing unruly demonstrations.

“This is anarchy and true chaos,” he wrote. “My party loses the moral high ground when we refuse to condemn setting cars on fire, destroying buildings, and assaulting law enforcement.”

Local officials in California have described the violence as limited, under control and exacerbated by President Trump’s decision to federalize the National Guard and deploy troops over the governor’s objection.

“I unapologetically stand for free speech, peaceful demonstrations, and immigration — but this is not that,” Mr. Fetterman wrote. “This is anarchy and true chaos.”

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/10/us/politics/fetterman-la-protests-anarchy.html