‘The View’ Co-Host Warns Against Demonizing ICE and Military Personnel Amid LA Riots

Alyssa Farah Griffin urges caution as Whoopi Goldberg draws historical comparisons to 1930s Germany

LOS ANGELES — In the wake of the ongoing riots in Los Angeles, co-hosts of the daytime talk show The View engaged in a heated discussion about the role of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and military personnel deployed to quell the unrest.

On Wednesday, Alyssa Farah Griffin cautioned her fellow co-hosts against demonizing ICE agents and the military forces involved, emphasizing that these individuals are primarily following orders from the commander-in-chief.

“They didn’t necessarily sign up for this specific mission,” Griffin said. “They are nonpartisan actors who have served under multiple administrations, and they’re simply carrying out the orders they’ve been given.”

The conversation quickly turned political as co-host Sunny Hostin expressed sharp criticism of President Donald Trump’s decision to deploy troops to Los Angeles.

“I think this is more than just optics,” Hostin argued. “It’s a power grab. Using the military against your own citizens is a hallmark of fascism. This is a clear threat to civil rights.”

Hostin’s comments were met with pushback from Griffin, who urged the panel to avoid “taking the bait” and demonizing the individuals on the ground.

“It’s the commander-in-chief who made the decision,” Griffin reiterated. “We need to separate the people following orders from the politics behind those orders.”

Hostin and fellow co-host Whoopi Goldberg insisted they were not demonizing the personnel but focused their critique on the actions of ICE itself. Hostin placed blame on ICE for the crisis unfolding in Los Angeles.

The discussion took a somber turn when Goldberg drew a historical parallel, referencing the infamous defense used by perpetrators of atrocities in 1930s Germany: “Where have you heard that before? ‘I’m just following orders from the commander-in-chief.’”

Goldberg agreed with co-host Sara Haines that while she did not fault the National Guard or Marines personally, caution was necessary.

Griffin highlighted the personal struggles faced by those deployed, noting that “half of them probably share your political views” and many are conflicted about their roles, balancing duty with family obligations and personal beliefs.

The dialogue underscored the complexity of the debate surrounding federal intervention in civil unrest and the often-overlooked humanity of those tasked with enforcing controversial orders.