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Vice President JD Vance arrived in Los Angeles Friday as part of a surprise visit to the area that was hit by a series of federal immigrant attacks that sparked protests and rebellion from residents and local officials.
His office said Vance would tour multiple agency federal joint operations centres, the federal government’s mobile command centers, and meet with Marines sent to the area, but additional information about his visit remains unknown.
Several White House officials did not respond to requests for details regarding Vance’s schedule.
Vance is also expected to make a brief statement during his halt.
Pool reports that Vance arrived at Los Angeles International Airport at 1:35pm and did not ask a reporter questions before heading to the Federal Operations Center.
The Vice President met with Akil Davis, the FBI assistant director in charge of the Los Angeles office, for a tour of the FBI Command Center. Poole reports that the center is part of a 14-agency joint operation by federal officials in Los Angeles.
Officials in the Vice President’s Office said Vance will speak to officials from the Los Angeles Police Department and California Highway Patrol, as well as staff from the Department of Defense, the Department of Drug Enforcement, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Immigration and Customs and the Department of Enforcement during their visit.
The visit comes as California and federal officials fight in court over control of the California National Guard. President Trump has sent the troops into the federal government over Gov. Gavin Newsom’s objections and sent them to LA after immigrant raids sparked protests.
The clash remains the Trump administration newspapers and officials trading barbs in interviews and social media. Vance rarely meets the best elected officials of the country’s most populous state.
“We are always open to working together, which makes it even more regrettable that the White House chose not to engage with us just before our visit,” a statement from the governor’s office read. “We have not yet received official notifications for the Vice President’s trip, which is focused on high fundraising activities, as we understand it.”
Newsom later released a video for X, dealing with Vance directly, urging the Vice President to meet with the victims of the Palisades and Altadena fire.
“It’s been months since some of the most devastating wildfires in US history, and tens of thousands of lives have been completely torn apart,” Newsmom said in the video. “We hope to have the opportunity to spend quality time with some of the victims of the Pallisard family and spend time in Altadena. This is very important.”
Newsom also urged Vance to talk to Trump about the comments the president made earlier this week, suggesting that he would cut disaster relief due to the fire due to the ongoing feud with Newsom.
“That’s honestly important, and honestly, it means you’re sitting with the US president. A few days ago, these American citizens suggested that other citizens might not get the support of reaching this whole country in terms of disaster relief,” Newsmom said. “We hope we get it back on track. We count on you, Vice President.”
On Thursday, the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals continued to control the military at Trump’s hands while the matter was filed in federal court.
Atty. General Rob Bonta vowed to fight the Trump administration over the decision.
Times staff writer Seema Mehta contributed to this report.
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