The crisis in Los Angeles is a test of federalism and American values.
I condemn everyone who deals with political violence, vandalism or harassed law enforcement. It is impossible to deny that violence that we saw from some demonstrators in LA were wrong.
But President Donald Trump’s attempt to ignore Governor in California Gavin NewsomThe authority of the National Guard was not wise and damaged the principle of limited federal power. Californians did not ask for the Marines or the National Guard. They wanted local and state -and -law enforcement to restore order.
In a hearing of a Huis Armed Services Committee last week, I asked the Minister of Defense Pete Hegseeth if he would adhere to a court ruling whether they would decide that the use of active troops in Los Angeles was illegal. He refused to say whether he would obey the district court. Only after he was pushed again by Maryland Democrat Rep. Sarah Elfreth, he acknowledged that he would obey the Supreme Court.
Protesters gather at the US Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Prisons after the federal immigration authorities performed an operation on Friday, June 6, 2025 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
The The neglect of the administration For checks and balances and nonchalance about following judicial orders, it must be alarming for every American.
We need leaders from both parties to stand up for the Constitution and to offer a common intensity plan for those people without papers who pay taxes and work hard.
GOV Gavin Newsom: Trump tries to destroy our democracy. Don’t let him
Even Trump starts to recognize this. After being confronted with the recoil of market leaders, he seemed to consider an exemption for farms, hotels and restaurants of the ice rays, which has now reversed his administration.
Of the 2.4 million farm workers in the US, an estimated 40% have no legal status. They are crucial for the food production of our country.
Instead of deporting all hard -working farm workers, we must create a way to legalization and citizenship. That is why I support the two -part “Farm Workforce Modernization Act” that would create a program for agricultural workers to earn legal status through continuous employment.
‘Social Chaos’: Gop, DEM Wetgevers sound on Los Angeles Unrest
This is the time to adopt two -part legislation, Mr. President. Let us approve a law that supports a way to legalization and citizenship for immigrants without paper who pay hard work and pay taxes, while you define it, agriculture, hotels and restaurants. This would be a first step to get something done immigration And bring this country together instead of just swinging insults to each other.
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More in general, while Americans stand up for the right process in town halls and with rallies, we must understand how peaceful protest looks like.
We can inspire ourselves by the tradition of Martin Luther King Jr., Mahatma Gandhi and my grandfather, Amarnath Vidyalankar, who was an Indian freedom fighter. He spent a number of years in prison as part of the Gandhi movement. I am reminded of how the freedom fighters were well dressed, were polite and avoided confrontation with law enforcement. The same applied to Civil Rights Freedom Riders. We need this discipline today to break through and claim the moral high soil.
Community organizers are protesting outside the federal building after the federal immigration authorities had performed surgery in Los Angeles on Friday 6 June 2025. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
We also have to share the story of immigrants who believe in hard work, love for land and patriotism. This was the story that Mario Cuomo told about his unskilled father who worked for 16 hours of days and bleed from the bottom of his feet. In my case, my father woke up at the Dawn’s crane as one of the first in his workplace. My parents taught me that by being born in America, I won the lottery. They brought me a love for American history, for the English language and for the story of our country and a ruthless dedication to hard work.
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I believe that by creating routes to legalization and citizenship for hard -working immigrants who pay taxes, we can have social cohesion and build a nation where everyone can thrive.
That spirit of finding common ground is what our democracy will be guided about China and be a model for the world.
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