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LOS ANGELES – The head of the Los Angeles Police Department’s union criticized both city and state officials while delivering a stern message to potential protesters against Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
With 35 years in the LAPD, Jamie McBride serves as a detective and currently heads the Los Angeles Police Protective League, the organization that represents the city’s police officers.
“If you come here and engage in anything other than a peaceful protest, if you turn to any form of violence, you will be arrested, and we will track you down. There’s an abundance of cameras out there,” McBride told Fox News Digital.
McBride said that LAPD officers are holding up well during the riots, which were sparked by recent arrests of criminal illegal immigrants in the city, but that police intend to crack down hard on bad actors who cause trouble in the city.
A Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputy stands on the perimeter of LAPD headquarters Tuesday afternoon as the city prepares for a fourth night of riots. (Peter D’Abrosca for Fox News Digital)
McBride also slammed California’s leadership, especially Gov. Gavin Newsom, who has fought President Donald Trump’s deployment of the National Guard and U.S. Marines to the city to quell and deter violence. Federal help, McBride said, would be greatly appreciated by the LAPD.
Members of the Los Angeles Metro Police clash with demonstrators during a protest against federal immigration sweeps in downtown Los Angeles, California, U.S. June 8, 2025. (REUTERS/Daniel Cole)
“Absolute idiot,” he said of Newsom. “I mean, look at the way California is right now. We are, you know, high in taxes. And then of course, we’re high in crime.”
“Because you know this state is just soft on crime, Gavin Newsom is driving that narrative as well,” said McBride. “Of course, now that he’s getting ready for a 2028 presidential run, he’s trying to reinvent himself. But really, Gavin Newsom is part of the problem here. He’s pouring fuel on the fire.”
Newsom is expected by some to be a Democratic Party candidate during the next presidential election cycle.
A rioter waves a Mexican national flag next to a car on fire during a protest following federal immigration operations, in the Compton neighborhood of Los Angeles, California on June 7, 2025. (Getty Images)
He was also critical of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.
“Well, I think Mayor Bass is overwhelmed right now. I think she’s being a little too political. She needs to come out and tell everybody this needs to stop immediately,” he said. “And if she has to ask for help from President Trump, then do so, because I’m afraid this weekend coming up, we might see some more of this going on.”
“I think she should step up and say that we are having a riot situation here, and if we need mutual aid, then please send mutual aid so we can combat this problem.”
Diana Crofts-Pelayo, a spokeswoman for Newsom, told Fox News Digital that violent crime and property crime in California have declined in recent years, and that other states have higher homicide rates than California.
She also said that California’s taxes are “near the national average for most.”
Bass’ office did not return a comment request.
