Sen. John Fetterman, once mocked by conservatives during his 2022 campaign, has emerged as a lone voice of reason among Democrats as Los Angeles erupts in violent riots. The Pennsylvania Democrat broke ranks with his party by forcefully condemning the chaos, arson, and assaults on law enforcement taking place in the streets while other Democrats remain silent.
Fetterman Blasts Fellow Democrats for Silence on LA Riots
Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania didn’t mince words when addressing the violent protests that have engulfed Los Angeles in recent days. He shared a striking image on social media showing a car ablaze with a person waving a Mexican flag, boldly declaring the scene “anarchy and true chaos” while criticizing his own party for failing to condemn the destruction.
“My party loses the moral high ground when we refuse to condemn setting cars on fire, destroying buildings, and assaulting law enforcement,” Fetterman stated in a powerful rebuke that has conservatives applauding. The Senator made clear he supports free speech and peaceful demonstrations but drew a firm line against the violence that has led to over 100 arrests as rioters protest President Trump’s immigration enforcement policies.
Conservatives Rally Behind Fetterman’s Stand
Fetterman’s principled stance has earned him praise from conservatives who view him as a “voice of reason” within the increasingly radical Democratic Party. Republican Rep. Mike Lawler voiced his agreement with Fetterman, stating, “He is 💯 correct. As I have always said, anyone who engages in this type of conduct, whether in LA, in Minneapolis, in Portland, or on January 6th should be arrested and prosecuted.”
Sen. John Fetterman scolded fellow Democrats for refusing to condemn the violent protests across Los Angeles: "This is anarchy and true chaos." https://t.co/sNkovHyGS1
— NEWSMAX (@NEWSMAX) June 10, 2025
This isn’t the first time Fetterman has broken with Democrat orthodoxy, previously earning conservative praise for denouncing anti-Israel campus protests and supporting President Trump’s decisive actions against Iran. While California Governor Gavin Newsom has sued the Trump administration over the deployment of 5,000 military personnel to restore order in Los Angeles, Fetterman has chosen truth over party loyalty, acknowledging the reality of the dangerous situation unfolding.
Democrats in Disarray After Election Losses
Fetterman’s candor comes at a time when Democrats are struggling to regroup following a difficult 2024 election cycle that saw President Trump return to the White House. While most Congressional Democrats accuse Trump of creating a “manufactured crisis” to justify military deployment, Fetterman has focused on the actual violence taking place in the streets of Los Angeles.
“I unapologetically stand for free speech, peaceful demonstrations, and immigration — but this is not that,” Fetterman declared, drawing a clear distinction between legitimate protest and criminal behavior. Senator Katie Britt joined the chorus of support for Fetterman’s position, commenting that “Once again, my friend @JohnFetterman is simply telling the truth” – a quality increasingly rare among Democratic politicians as the party shifts further to the left.
The Pennsylvania Senator’s willingness to acknowledge Trump’s strong support in his home state and criticize Democratic missteps during the 2024 presidential election has positioned him as a potential bridge-builder in an otherwise deeply divided political landscape. While Fox News Digital sought further comments from Fetterman’s office about his stance on the riots, they did not receive an immediate response.
Sources:
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/10/us/politics/fetterman-la-protests-anarchy.html
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/fetterman-emerges-dems-voice-reason-la-burns-conservatives-say