LOS ANGELES (NewsNation) — Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins has sharply criticized California officials after anti-ICE riots in Los Angeles led to the temporary closure of a major VA community center, disrupting healthcare services for over 600 military veterans.
In letters addressed to California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, Secretary Collins accused the state of failing to protect veterans amid the ongoing unrest. The closures affected the Los Angeles Ambulatory Care Center, which will remain shut for at least five days due to what officials described as a “credible security threat.”
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- 1 VA Blames Threats and Graffiti for Closure
- 2 Call for State Accountability
- 3 Legal Battle Over Federal Intervention Intensifies
- 4 Over 600 Veterans Affected — More Closures Possible
“Your state’s failure to maintain law and order in Los Angeles is coming between veterans and the healthcare they have earned,” Collins wrote.
VA Blames Threats and Graffiti for Closure
The decision to close the care center was reportedly prompted by graffiti threats scrawled on the building’s exterior, allegedly targeting federal immigration officials. According to VA leadership, the “difficult decision” to close the facility was made out of concern for the safety of both veterans and staff.
Collins emphasized that the disruption underscores what he called the state and city’s insufficient response to growing civil unrest. “What has struck me the most,” he wrote, “is that your primary concern seems to be virtue signaling opposition to President Donald J. Trump’s efforts to restore law and order — rather than protecting hardworking Angelenos.”
Call for State Accountability
The secretary’s letter urged Newsom and Bass to provide:
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A list of actions taken to restore security in affected areas
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An update on investigations into the threats and vandalism
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State reimbursement for the cost of repairs to the care center
He also expressed concern over what will happen once federal law enforcement and National Guard troops leave the area, arguing that local officials have shown little ability or willingness to manage escalating violence.
Legal Battle Over Federal Intervention Intensifies
Governor Newsom and Mayor Bass have consistently opposed federal intervention in immigration enforcement and riot control. Both have called such actions “unconstitutional overreach.” California Attorney General Rob Bonta supported Newsom’s position and helped file a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration.
On Thursday, a judge sided with the state, ruling that President Trump acted unlawfully in assuming control of the California National Guard without state approval. The ruling blocks further deployment of state military resources under federal command.
“Now, they have turned their sights on California with devastating consequences, setting a roadmap to follow across the country,” the lawsuit claims, criticizing what it describes as the Trump administration’s imposition of a “warrior culture” on American cities.
Over 600 Veterans Affected — More Closures Possible
VA officials confirm that more than 600 veterans missed appointments or were turned away due to the center’s closure. They warned that if violence continues, additional closures may follow.
Veterans advocacy groups have expressed alarm. “These are people who rely on the VA for everything from basic checkups to life-saving treatments,” said a spokesperson for Veterans First. “This isn’t about politics. This is about people being denied care.”
