The fiery riots may be happening on the streets of L.A., but they are raising the temperature on the border security issue across the country.
And that’s not good for New Hampshire Democrats.
The decision of Granite State Democrats to double down on opposition to immigration enforcement was always a risky bet. Years of polling, not to mention the results of the 2024 election, show Americans think Democrats have got the issue wrong. Americans trust Republicans far more on immigration than they do them.
And now, not only are Democrats angry that immigration agents are rounding up illegal aliens, but they’re defending rioters opposed to enforcement — some of whom have attacked police officers.
“This is not a great look,” one New Hampshire Democratic activist told NHJournal on background.
For three days, immigration enforcement opponents have been setting cars ablaze, blocking roads, and bashing cop cars with concrete in response to immigration enforcement actions in the area. And for three days, Granite Staters have seen the images on cable news and social media — videos of protesters waving Mexican flags in front of flaming vehicles.
President Donald Trump responded to the rioting by sending in the California National Guard, over the objections of Gov. Gavin Newsom (D).
All 22 Democratic governors, including Gov. Maura Healey of Massachusetts, sided with Newsom and signed a letter denouncing Trump’s decision.
Newsom has gone even further. He’s taken to social media to mock the idea that what people were seeing on L.A.’s streets was significant unrest.
“Are you going to send in the Marines the next time the Philadelphia Eagles win, too?” Newsom’s press office tweeted as the unrest continued.
Newsom went on to blame the riots in his state on Trump, claiming the president has been “inciting and provoking violence, creating mass chaos” and calling him a “dictator.”
Republicans point to the scenes of chaos on L.A. streets and ICE agents coming under attack to argue Trump had to act.
“Gavin Newsom has done nothing to stop this violence,” said White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt. “He should be thanking President Trump for bringing law and order to California — a basic value that Newsom and his fellow Democrats have failed to uphold.”
Polls have long shown voters believe Democrats have the wrong policy on immigration. On Sunday, CBS News released a poll showing Americans solidly support Trump’s policy of deporting illegal aliens, 54 to 46 percent.
An NHJournal/Praecones Analytica survey of New Hampshire voters last year found Granite Staters opposed sanctuary city policies 56 to 19 percent.
Which is why, political observers say, it doesn’t matter that the riots are 3,000 miles away. The Democratic brand is taking a beating, and it will be felt in New Hampshire.
“The images we see in L.A. in response to immigration related arrests may seem far away from the campaign trail, but our N.H. candidates have to be ready to answer direct questions in what can be some tricky positioning on this issue,” said public relations professional Scott Spradling with the Spradling Group.
“Democrats have been playing catch-up on this issue for some time,” Spradling added. “The challenge for Democrats is balancing the tough talk on protecting Americans from an influx of people streaming through our borders, against calls for humane treatment for those already here.”
Republican strategist Dave Carney says the rioting takes the immigration issue from a political talking point to real life.
“The rioting reminds folks they aren’t safe,” Carney said. Ironically, he adds, the Democrats likely to suffer the consequences are moderates in the state legislature who voted against sanctuary city bans and increased immigration enforcement “to get along with their party’s ‘crazy caucus.’”
A 2026 election cycle focused on Democrats’ record on immigration is “not the optics they want,” one State House political professional told NHJournal. “If that’s a campaign issue, it means Democrats are fighting uphill trying to take back the governor’s mansion and the legislature.”
It’s not a great issue for the federal delegation, though most observers say Democrats have the upper hand when it comes to holding the U.S. Senate and House seats. Still, if Republicans are going to pull an upset in New Hampshire, they need stories like these.
The four members of the federal delegation have been entirely silent on the L.A. riots story, and none of them would respond to requests for comment from NHJournal. National Republicans have noticed.
“Chris Pappas puts illegal immigrants above American citizens and supports dangerous sanctuary city policies that put Granite Staters in danger, so it’s no surprise he won’t condemn these violent, pro-illegal immigration rioters in California,” said Nick Puglia with the National Republican Senatorial Committee.
