Local Authorities On Alert After U.S. Bombing Of Iran

LOS ANGELES, CA — Local and state authorities Sunday were monitoring for potential fallout after the U.S. military bombed three nuclear sites in Iran.

During a Saturday address to the nation, President Donald Trump confirmed that B-2 stealth bombers and other fighter jets carried out the attacks and said the damage done to Iran's nuclear weapons program would make future U.S. attacks "a lot easier."

"Following the bombings in Iran, Los Angeles is closely monitoring for any threats to public safety," Mayor Karen Bass noted in a Saturday post on X. "There are no known credible threats at this time and out of an abundance of caution, LAPD is stepping up patrols near places of worship, community gathering spaces and other sensitive sites. We will remain vigilant in protecting our communities."

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department officials said there were no known threats at the time, but were increasing patrol checks at places of worship and other sensitive locations as a precautionary measure.

An initial version of the statement posted to X, read, "Our hearts go out to the victims and families impacted by the recent bombings in Iran. While this tragic event occurred overseas, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is closely monitoring the situation alongside our local, state, and federal partners."

Minutes later, the department edited the statement to remove mentions of Iranian victims and families, before ultimately deleting the social media post.

Shortly afterward, City News Service received an official request to retract the statement from a story that had been written. LASD Deputy M. McClendon requested that segment of the statement about victims and families be stricken. When asked why, the deputy said she was acting on orders she was given by her superiors.

Around 7 p.m. Sunday, the department issued a formal apology statement and shared an updated version of the post.

"We are issuing this statement to formally apologize for an offensive and inappropriate social media post recently posted on our Department social media platforms regarding the ongoing conflict in Iran," the statement read. "This post was unacceptable, made in error, and does not reflect the views of Sheriff Robert G. Luna or the Department."

The department stated as a law enforcement agency, it stayed away from commenting on military matters and was conducting an internal review on the incident.

Gov. Gavin Newsom said state officials were also on alert.

"Following the President's action in Iran, California's State Threat Assessment Center is actively monitoring for any potential impacts in California," Newsom said in a post on X. "While there are no specific or credible counter threats we are aware of at this time, we urge everyone to stay vigilant and report suspicious activity."

The U.S. decision to intervene in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran drew at least one downtown demonstration on Saturday.

Meanwhile, local Democrats, while not necessarily opposing the goal of the attacks, took issue with the president's decision to bypass congressional approval.

"I believe Trump's attack on Iran, hitting three reported nuclear targets, is tantamount to a declaration of war," said Rep. Maxine Waters, D- Los Angeles. "The President must be confronted by Members of Congress to be reminded that the President must come before Congress to seek approval before a declaration of war.

"This action by the President is typical of a president out of control. The United States at one time had an agreement with Iran, and that agreement was monitored closely. But Trump withdrew from that agreement when he took office."

Under that agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, Iran agreed to limit its nuclear program in exchange for U.S. sanctions and other punitive measures being relaxed. The agreement was effect from Jan. 16, 2016 until the U.S. withdrew in 2018 during the first Trump administration.

"Trump is out of control and does not contribute to an establishment of peace," Waters' statement continued. "It was my understanding that Trump would give two weeks consideration to his response to Israel's attack on Iran, and Iran's attack on Israel, and he has not done so.

"This president must be stopped. I and Members of Congress must confront this issue as soon as we return to Congress. We need peaceful negotiations, not another war."

Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove, D-Los Angeles, the ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on South and Central Asia, decried Trump's action.

"The `President of peace' just bombed Iran without Congressional authorization, without clear evidence that Iran is imminently close to having a nuclear weapon, without properly notifying both parties in Congress, and with no clear plan for what comes next," Kamlager-Dove said Sunday.

"I support the longstanding U.S. policy that Iran, an adversary and state-sponsor of terror, must never acquire a nuclear weapon. However, I have not received any classified briefing on the intelligence that shows Iran could imminently develop a nuclear weapon, which directly contradicts (Director of National Intelligence) Tulsi Gabbard's testimony to Congress in March. Equally concerning, President Trump and his incompetent national security team have not shown to the American people what their day after plan is and how they will manage the possibility of another forever war in the Middle East," Kamlager- Dove continued.

"The U.S. must not be dragged into a wider war in the Middle East, and I pray for the U.S. servicemembers Trump has now placed in harm's way."

Sen. Alex Padilla also criticized the unilateral nature of the president's action.

"Dismantling Iran's nuclear weapons program is imperative for America's national security and essential to Israel's safety and right to exist," California's senior Democratic senator said Sunday. "However, it is unacceptable that the president disregarded his constitutional responsibility to seek and secure congressional authorization before launching these strikes.

"Before any further military action is taken, President Trump must come before Congress. That's not just a matter of process -- it's a matter of law. Trump risks igniting a wider war in the region that puts American lives at risk and that he himself has warned repeatedly against. That's why we must exhaust every diplomatic channel, working with our allies and partners to contain escalation in the region."

Meanwhile, Republican Orange County Rep. Young Kim, R-Anaheim Hills, expressed support for the attack.

"The military's targeted actions [Saturday] against Iranian nuclear sites are necessary to deter Tehran's nuclear ambitions and save lives," Kim said. "I thank our military for their service in this critical operation to restore peace through strength and am glad they are safely on the way home."
Kim is the only Republican House member to represent a district in Los Angeles or Orange counties.
Rep Darrell Issa, R-Escondido, also expressed support.

"Tonight, @realDonaldTrump is showing the world the true meaning of peace through strength. And American strength is making peace with Iran possible for the first time in 46 years," Issa posted on X.
The U.S. bombs fell Saturday on Iranian atomic sites at Fordow, Isfahan and Natanz.

The initial attacks on Iran came June 13 when Israeli airstrikes targeted nuclear and military sites as well as top Iranian generals and nuclear scientists. At least 657 people, including 263 civilians, were reportedly killed and more than 2,000 wounded, a Washington-based Iranian human rights group told reporters.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel's goal is to eliminate the "existential threat" of Iran's nuclear program and arsenal of ballistic missiles and said the attacks would continue "for as long as it takes."

After word of the U.S. military strikes spread in the Los Angeles area, protesters gathered in downtown's Pershing Square.

"The people of Los Angeles are taking to the streets in Downtown to demand an end to the war on Iran, on our migrants, and on Gaza!" organizers noted on Instagram. "We are here alongside over 30 organizations to show the world that LA rejects U.S. military intervention, and to make it clear that our movements will only continue to grow and strengthen and unite in confrontation of Zionism and U.S. imperialism. Arms embargo now! No war! No deportations! No occupation!"

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Sunday that "the order we received from our commander in chief was focused, it was powerful and it was clear. We devastated the Iranian nuclear program."
And Secretary of State Marco Rubio added, "It was not an attack on Iran, it was not an attack on the Iranian people, this wasn't a regime change move. This was designed to degrade and/or destroy three nuclear sites related to their nuclear weaponization ambitions."

— City News Service