Hillary Clinton is facing intense blowback after labeling the violent anti-ICE riots in Los Angeles as “peaceful demonstrations,” while pinning the blame for chaos on former President Donald Trump. Her now-controversial post on X (formerly Twitter) ignited fierce criticism from conservatives and everyday users alike, many of whom accused her of being detached from reality.
“Comments off lol. This is what Hillary Clinton calls ‘peaceful demonstrations,'” wrote Libs of TikTok in a viral repost that highlighted Clinton’s restricted replies—only users she follows could respond. The post included footage of looting, burning vehicles, and mayhem across Los Angeles streets.
Clinton’s Post Sparks Social Media Firestorm
Clinton’s statement read:
“California Governor Newsom didn’t request the National Guard be deployed to his state following peaceful demonstrations. Trump sent them anyway. It’s the first time in 60 years a president has made that choice. Trump’s goal isn’t to keep Californians safe. His goal is to cause chaos, because chaos is good for Trump.”
It was the first and only public statement she’d made as of Tuesday morning regarding the unrest that has swept across Southern California.
But critics weren’t buying her framing.
“These are not peaceful Hillary,” shot back Florida Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna.
“Ever notice that only leftists disable comments?” added John Dennis, chair of the California Republican Liberty Caucus, joining the chorus of those slamming Clinton for what they described as censorship and political gaslighting.
‘A Fraud Like Herself Shouldn’t Be Able to Lock Replies’
While replies were locked, quote-posts allowed users to voice their frustration. One X user demanded platform owner Elon Musk intervene:
“A public figure and a fraud like herself shouldn’t be able to lock her replies, @elonmusk.”
Another echoed the sentiment:
“Hey @ElonMusk, can you make it so that government officials and former government officials cannot turn off their replies?”
The rage spilled over beyond just social media etiquette. As footage circulated showing rioters waving foreign flags and torching property, some users labeled Clinton’s view not just wrong, but dangerous.
“Hillary Clinton is delusional if nothing else,” one commenter posted, accompanied by a video of flames engulfing a car while a Mexican flag waved in the foreground.
Violence Escalates as Federal Forces Move In
Riots erupted Friday night after federal immigration agents launched raids in Los Angeles, following Trump’s promise to deport undocumented immigrants who entered under the Biden administration. The move drew swift condemnation from California leaders like Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who publicly voiced support for migrants and criticized the federal operation.
But peaceful protest quickly spiraled into chaos. Demonstrators hurled rocks at federal officers, looted stores, set cars ablaze, and even occupied major roadways. Dramatic images from Paramount and other neighborhoods showed burning vehicles, masked protesters, and federal agents in riot gear.
In response, Trump bypassed Newsom and ordered the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops on Saturday. The California government retaliated with a lawsuit accusing Trump of attempting to “federalize” the state’s National Guard without consent.
Marines Sent in Amid Explosive Unrest
By Monday, with unrest showing no signs of slowing, the Trump administration sent in the Marines.
“Approximately 700 Marines with 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division will seamlessly integrate with the Title 10 forces under Task Force 51 who are protecting federal personnel and federal property in the greater Los Angeles area,” U.S. Northern Command said in a statement.
Trump, never one to sit back during a firestorm, took to Truth Social to defend his decision:
“didn’t ‘SEND IN THE TROOPS’ to Los Angeles the last three nights, that once beautiful and great City would be burning to the ground right now.”
Referencing the devastating wildfires earlier this year that destroyed thousands of homes, Trump added:
“Much like 25,000 houses burned to the ground in L.A. do to an incompetent Governor and Mayor – Incidentally, the much more difficult, time consuming, and stringent FEDERAL PERMITTING PROCESS is virtually complete on these houses, while the easy and simple City and State Permits are disastrously bungled up and WAY BEHIND SCHEDULE! They are a total mess, and will be for a long time. People want to rebuild their houses. Call your incompetent Governor and Mayor, the Federal permitting is DONE!!!”
A City on Edge—and a Nation Watching
As flames lit up the skies over Southern California, Clinton’s attempt to minimize the situation struck many as not only tone-deaf, but politically reckless.
“Accusing the National Guard of causing chaos is a serious allegation that requires serious proof. I see none,” wrote one commenter, echoing the mood of many online.
Meanwhile, the contrast couldn’t be sharper between Clinton’s description of “peaceful demonstrations” and the disturbing visuals now flooding social media and airwaves.
Whether this latest clash of political narratives will have long-term consequences remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: public patience is wearing thin, and the demand for accountability is only growing louder.
