U.S. Rep Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL) released a message on social media directed towards the violent protests in Los Angeles, Monday.
“You can scream–LOUDLY. The Constitution gives you the right!," she stated.
“But: You CANNOT attack police officers. You CANNOT torch media vans. You CANNOT destroy federal buildings. You CANNOT loot private businesses. And you CANNOT wave the communist flag and be taken seriously.” Salazar said.
She also urged citizens to “Protest on the streets. Show your face. Tell the world NOT every IMMIGRANT IS A CRIMINAL.” but she also clarified “if you riot, you won’t be protected, you will be prosecuted.”
Salazar closes out her statement, writing, “Without law and order, freedom collapses into chaos.”
The protests began June 6, 2025, in Los Angeles, when Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raided several city locations to arrest people allegedly involved in illegal immigration and other violations.
On June 7, protestors and federal forces clashed during raids, leading President Donald Trump to mobilize the California National Guard and deploy 300 guard members to the city.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth authorized and deployed 700 Marines to the city on June 9.
“We have an obligation to defend federal law enforcement officers - even if Gavin Newsom will not.” Hegseth said.
Recently appointed Sen. Ashley Moody (R-FL) also released a statement, slamming the California state government over its apparent lack of a response as the riots unfolded.
“What is happening in California is a reflection of its leadership.”
“In Florida, we passed laws and enforced them to prevent riots and lawlessness. That is why so many want to move to Florida and so many want to flee California.” Moody wrote.
Moody ends her statement promising to “keep fighting every day for common sense policies that protect people and their rights.”
