Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) voted against a resolution on Thursday condemning the violent anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) riots in Los Angeles, California, that began earlier this month, with rioters assaulting law enforcement and burning cars.
Rep. Pingree joined 194 other Democrats in opposing the resolution from Rep. Young Kim (R-CA).
The resolution had four major parts: affirming the right to peaceful protest, condemning the violence committed against law enforcement, calling on state and local leaders to work to end the violent riots, and thanking law enforcement, including ICE and local police departments, for protecting communities in the face of violence.
Officials enforcing immigration laws in Los Angeles faced potentially deadly assaults from rioters throwing bricks at their heads and vehicles. In response to the riots, President Donald Trump activated the California National Guard and the Marines to help maintain order in the city.
Despite opposition from Pingree and many other Democrats, the resolution passed with a 215-195 vote. All voting Republicans supported the legislation.
Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine) was one of only seven Democrats to vote in favor of the resolution.
Notably, Pingree’s refusal to condemn violent rioters and commend law enforcement came just one day after she made a Facebook post demanding that a plaque commemorating the Capitol Police in D.C. during the 2021 Capitol riots be hung in the Capitol.
“Three years ago, Democrats and Republicans came together to honor the police officers who defended us, the Capitol, and democracy on January 6, passing a bill to create and hang a plaque in the Capitol honoring their bravery,” said Pingree.
On Wednesday, Pingree also opposed two bills relating to illegal immigration.
H.R. 275 from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to release a monthly report on all aliens attempting illegal entry who are believed to pose a national security risk, including their country of origin and the location of their attempted illegal entry.
The other immigration-related bill, H.R. 875, from Rep. Barry Moore (R-Ala.), amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide that foreigners who have driven while intoxicated are inadmissible and deportable.
Golden voted in favor of both bills.
