Louisiana Senator John Kennedy has unleashed a blistering attack on California Governor Gavin Newsom, accusing him of “catastrophic failure” in handling Los Angeles’ recent anti-ICE riots, leaving the nation stunned and the city poised for a dramatic shift under new leadership. In a fiery Fox News appearance on July 17, 2025, Kennedy labeled Newsom a “sheep in sheep’s clothing,” arguing that his inaction fueled chaos in L.A.’s streets. The senator’s remarks come as Mayor Karen Bass steps down, with Kristi Noem, the Trump-appointed Homeland Security Secretary, assuming temporary control of the city’s security operations, signaling a bold new direction for Los Angeles.
Kennedy’s scathing critique, delivered with his signature Southern wit, has sent shockwaves across political circles. “Los Angeles has a wolf problem—rioters burning cars, smashing windows—and where’s Governor Newsom? Hiding like a sheep, bleating about democracy while his city burns,” Kennedy said, referencing the violent protests that erupted June 6 following aggressive ICE raids. The unrest, marked by vandalism and arson, saw thousands swarm downtown L.A., prompting President Trump to deploy 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines—a move Newsom condemned as “unconstitutional.” Kennedy, however, defended the federal intervention, stating, “Newsom dug up more snakes than he could kill, and now Trump’s cleaning up his mess.”
The senator’s remarks, amplified by posts on X, have polarized public sentiment. Supporters hailed Kennedy’s candor, with one user posting, “Finally, someone calls out Newsom’s spineless leadership!” Others, particularly California Democrats, decried the attack as inflammatory, accusing Kennedy of stoking division. “He’s mocking a crisis while ignoring Trump’s overreach,” tweeted Representative Lateefah Simon. The controversy intensified as Kennedy extended his criticism to outgoing Mayor Karen Bass, calling her “another sheep” incapable of taming the “wolves.” He argued that more local leadership wouldn’t solve L.A.’s issues, justifying the $134 million federal deployment.Amid the chaos, Bass announced her resignation on July 16, citing health concerns and “exhaustion” from managing the protests and January’s devastating wildfires. Her departure has paved the way for Kristi Noem, appointed by Trump as a temporary “federal overseer” of L.A.’s security, to take charge. Noem, who sparked headlines when Senator Alex Padilla was forcibly removed from her June press conference, vowed to “liberate Los Angeles from socialist leadership.” Her role, effective July 18, 2025, includes overseeing National Guard operations and coordinating with CBP to continue immigration enforcement. Noem’s appointment, a first in modern U.S. history, has raised alarms among Democrats, who fear it signals a federal power grab.
Newsom, in a fiery response on X, challenged Noem and Kennedy to “say it to my face,” accusing the administration of “theater” and “madness.” He claimed the protests, concentrated in a few downtown blocks, were under control before Trump’s intervention, citing 227 arrests on July 16 alone. “Trump’s sending Marines to scare kids at graduation, not stop crime,” Newsom told The Daily, calling the president a “stone cold liar” for denying their prior talks. However, Kennedy countered on Hannity, comparing claims of “mostly peaceful protests” to calling Harvey Weinstein a feminist, a jab that went viral but drew criticism for trivializing the crisis.
Noem’s takeover marks a seismic shift for Los Angeles. Her plan includes extending curfews, increasing ICE raids, and deploying federal agents to “restore order.” Local officials, including City Council member Hugo Soto-Martinez, expressed outrage, warning of “authoritarianism” and urging Newsom to resist. Yet, Kennedy’s remarks have bolstered conservative support for Noem, with House Speaker Mike Johnson praising her as a “strong hand” compared to Newsom’s “accomplice” role. Polls show mixed sentiment: while 60% of Californians disapprove of Trump’s troop deployment, 52% support stronger measures against violent protests, per a Rasmussen Reports survey.
As L.A. braces for Noem’s leadership, the city faces an uncertain future. Newsom, nearing the end of his term, has filed a lawsuit against the federal government, with a hearing set for July 20 before Judge Charles Breyer to limit troop activities. Meanwhile, Kennedy’s takedown has elevated him as a GOP firebrand, with X users dubbing him “the Cajun pitbull.” For Angelenos, the stakes are personal: businesses are boarded up, schools are on edge, and protests continue in cities like Chicago and Austin. As one X post put it, “Kennedy lit a match, Noem’s pouring the gasoline, and L.A.’s caught in the middle.” Whether Noem’s iron-fisted approach restores calm or escalates tensions remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Los Angeles is on a radically new path.