Once again, the American taxpayer is left holding the bag for Democrat failure. The recent wave of anti-ICE riots that engulfed Los Angeles has already cost hardworking Californians over $32 million — and counting — all thanks to the lawlessness fueled and excused by Democrats like Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass.
Between June 1 and June 17, the city’s own data shows this staggering price tag:
- $29.5 million spent on the LAPD’s response to out-of-control riots
- $1.4 million on clean-up and property repairs after these so-called “protests” torched and trashed public spaces
- And that’s before factoring in the flood of lawsuits these violent mobs will trigger.
But instead of taking responsibility, what did LA’s radical City Controller Kenneth Mejia do? He tried to blame ICE. That’s right — instead of blaming the rioters who vandalized, looted, and assaulted law enforcement, Mejia absurdly claimed the cost was due to federal agents doing their job. It’s the typical Democrat playbook: defend the criminals, blame the people trying to stop them.
This disaster didn’t happen in a vacuum. It’s the direct result of Democrats like Newsom and Bass enabling lawlessness while attacking law enforcement. Newsom actually sued President Trump to stop him from using the National Guard to bring the chaos under control. When Trump sent in 4,000 troops to help protect innocent people and businesses, Newsom and his cronies whined about the cost — a cost that’s a fraction of what these riots are racking up in damage.
Let’s be clear: every dollar wasted on this destruction could have gone to fire recovery, infrastructure, schools, or health care for American citizens. Instead, thanks to Democrat leaders, that money is being burned — literally — by violent mobs and illegal aliens. And when the President stepped up to try to protect innocent Angelinos and small businesses in the city, Newsom and Bass cried “dictator!” and begged the courts to tie his hands.
Newsom and Bass’ cries about high costs to taxpayers are even more remarkable once you find out how much the state is spending on illegal aliens. California taxpayers shell out at least $31 billion annually on benefits for illegal aliens — from free health care to legal aid. Newsom’s “free health care for illegals” scheme alone is draining billions from the state budget, even as he demands loans to bail out the failing Medicaid program.
L.A. Mayo Bass posted on X, “”Just an absolutely shameful use of taxpayer dollars that could be used to actually HELP people. Despicable.”
While Governor Newsom said online, “$134 million that should be going to LA’s fire recovery. Shameful.”
Social media users were quick to point out the two Democrats hypocrisy on the issue.
White House advisor Stephen Miller posted, “Wait till you find out how many trillions we have to spend on illegal aliens.”
“Now do the $9 billion you drained out of our state treasury to fund your free healthcare for illegals immigrants scheme,” campaign strategist Andrew Clark posted in response to Newsom.
Perhaps the best response to Governor Newsom’s X post came from conservative filmmaker Robby Starbuck, “How many billions have you spent on illegals Gavin? It’s well into the hundreds of billions. THAT money should have gone to your citizens and fire recovery but you gave it to illegals.”
But Newsom and Bass didn’t stop at attacking Trump. Mayor Bass actually had the nerve to claim that cracking down on violent rioters was hurting the local economy — as if letting criminals loot and burn LA businesses helps the economy!
Let’s not forget: under Democrat rule, California ranks near the bottom in taxpayer efficiency — 47th in the nation, according to Wallethub. You pay sky-high taxes, and what do you get? Riots, lawlessness, crumbling infrastructure, and endless handouts for people who shouldn’t even be here.
This is the California Gavin Newsom and Karen Bass have built: a state where criminals are coddled, law enforcement is smeared, and the taxpayers foot the bill for the destruction. Meanwhile, President Trump is the only leader trying to restore sanity and stop the madness.
Perhaps the worst part of all of this is that rioters racked up this bill in only two weeks’ time. Meanwhile, protesters are still out in the streets wreaking havoc as of this past weekend and continuing to drive up those costs to taxpayers.