Swing district House Republican talks college protests, law enforcement
Rep. Mike Garcia, the only House GOP lawmaker in the Los Angeles metro area, spoke with Fox News Digital this week about the toll the USC college protests have taken on the city's strained police resources.
A House Republican who represents a district President Biden won by more than six points is arguing "security" will be the deciding factor in races like his across the country come November.
"It’s an irrational thing for a voter not to want security," Rep. Mike Garcia, R-Calif., told Fox News Digital in an interview.
Garcia is the only Republican in the House of Representatives who represents part of the Los Angeles metro area. He’s also one of 17 House GOP lawmakers in districts Biden won in 2020 and is a prime target for Democrats in trying to retake the House.
He argued that security in all forms — foreign, domestic and economic — will be what leads voters to their decisions in November.
Rep. Mike Garcia, R-Calif., said voters are seeking a sense of security this November. (Getty Images)
Garcia represents California’s 27th Congressional District, including parts of northern Los Angeles County, like Santa Clarita and part of the San Fernando Valley. It’s also a majority nonwhite district, with Hispanic and Latino Americans making up the largest share of the population.
"To me, the word security is what this election is going to be about. And with that, you get strength, right? I know in my district, a third are Hispanics. I would say 75% of them are registered as Democrats, but they don't like weakness. They don't like the fact that the United States looks weak on the global stage," Garcia said.
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"They don't like the fact that President Biden — it looks like he doesn't know what he's doing relative to his counterparts in Russia and China. They value strength and, so, I think valuing law enforcement is a big deal, and valuing border security and economic security, stopping the out-of-control spending, lowering taxes, valuing neighborhood security by getting more cops on the street. … These are very … common denominator issues."
Garcia said Republicans and Democrats approach law enforcement differently. (Mel Melcon/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
In Los Angeles, in particular, he said constituents are tired of progressive justice officials enacting policies they see as soft on crime and left-wing calls to defund the police.
"We're highlighting the difference between Republican and Democrat elected officials, not voters. Because when you talk to the average Democrat voter in the streets — especially in my district, we have one of the highest density populations in terms of current and retired law enforcement, firefighters, first responders — a lot of those folks are Democrats, actually," Garcia said.
"The Democrat voters do actually value security. And they see this defund the police movement as a product of a very far left faction of the Democrat Party. They don't appreciate it."
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Arrests came after police clashed with USC anti-Israel protesters earlier this month. (Getty Images)
He noted that Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer with the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department was killed in his district in an apparent ambush late last year while the officer sat in his patrol car. Garcia characterized it as a tragic manifestation of the wider issues with law enforcement in Los Angeles County.
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"They've got leadership, laws and crazies around them that are literally killing them – them being the cops," Garcia said. "They aren't getting reinforcements. They're working as many overtime hours as they are … regular hours. And, so, when you see that and when you see elected officials who are supposed to be protecting you, that are supposed to be on your side … most of these elected officials bent the knee to this defund the police movement out of fear of the protesters."
When reached for comment the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department told Fox News Digital, "The Sheriff’s Department is committed to ensuring the safety and security of all residents while promoting transparency and constructive dialogue within our communities. The department evaluates and adjusts its strategies to effectively address challenges presented by policy or funding shifts, prioritizing the safety and well-being of the public and our deputies."
"The tragic loss of Deputy Clinkunbroomer has profoundly affected us, highlighting the daily risks our deputies face. We remain committed to supporting Deputy Clinkunbroomer's family and fellow station personnel, as well as serving and protecting our communities with honor and integrity," a spokesperson said.
Fox News Digital also reached out to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office for comment.
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