According to the Daily Caller, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries drew national attention Monday by resisting calls to label recent violence in Los Angeles as “riots,” instead referring to the events as “unrest.”
The comment comes as House Republicans push forward a resolution condemning the protests, which have resulted in significant damage and polarized lawmakers over public safety and political framing.
Speaking with reporters, Jeffries was asked whether he believed the term “riot” appropriately described the confrontations between anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement demonstrators and law enforcement. He responded, “Obviously, I disagree with the classification of the notion that there were riots in Los Angeles, certainly, there was unrest.”
The protests, which involved property destruction and clashes with police, have led to widespread physical and financial damage in the city. California Republican Rep. Young Kim introduced a resolution describing the events as riots and listing specific attacks with fireworks and Molotov cocktails against officers.
Republican leaders have pressed for swift consideration of the resolution. According to Majority Leader Steve Scalise, the measure puts Democrats on the record about whether they will “stand with us against these violent riots” or “condone this destructive behavior.”
Jeffries declined to say how he would vote. “I haven’t seen that,” he told the Daily Caller News Foundation when asked directly about the resolution.
The House Minority Leader did affirm that those who broke the law during the demonstrations should face consequences. “Any individual who engaged in criminal activity, such as assault or looting, should be held accountable,” he said.
Despite this, Jeffries criticized Republicans for what he sees as inconsistency regarding their positions on law and order. He referenced their past support of individuals involved in the January 6 U.S. Capitol riot, questioning their credibility.
“We will not be lectured by extreme MAGA Republicans about questions of law and order. Are you kidding me?” he said, adding that Republicans are “the party of lawlessness and disorder” and calling them “phonies.”
The financial toll of the unrest is now estimated to exceed $32 million in Los Angeles alone. The damage includes destruction of businesses and public infrastructure, adding to pressure on city and state leaders to respond decisively.
The resolution also criticizes California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, accusing them of failing to maintain control and adequately support law enforcement during the demonstrations.
Although Republicans assert that their resolution is nonpartisan, Democrats appear split over how to approach the issue. Some remain hesitant to adopt language they view as inflammatory or politically motivated.
Rep. Young Kim, the resolution’s sponsor, said she expects crossover support from lawmakers on both sides. She emphasized that condemning violent actions should rise above partisanship.
The House is expected to vote on the resolution as early as Wednesday. The outcome could highlight the extent to which lawmakers are aligned—or divided—on how to classify and respond to public demonstrations that escalate into violence.
As debate continues, both parties are attempting to frame the narrative. Jeffries' refusal to adopt the term “riot” signals broader tensions over how political leaders interpret unrest in major cities.
