The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) has issued a formal apology after posting a message on social media that was widely criticized as “offensive” and “inappropriate,” following a series of U.S. military strikes in Iran.
Shortly after the U.S. launched Operation Midnight Hammer — a coordinated assault involving bunker-buster bombs and cruise missiles aimed at three key Iranian nuclear sites late Saturday — the LASD posted a message on X (formerly Twitter), expressing sympathy for “victims and families impacted by the recent bombings in Iran.”
At the time, no casualties had been officially reported as a result of the strikes. The post immediately drew backlash for appearing to criticize U.S. military action and for implying American forces caused civilian harm.
The original message also stated the department was “closely monitoring the situation alongside our local, state, and federal partners.”
The post was quickly edited to remove any mention of “victims” or “families,” and instead echoed the more neutral tone of L.A. Mayor Karen Bass, who said the city would “remain vigilant.”
Public Backlash and Apology
Criticism poured in, with social media users accusing the LASD of undermining U.S. troops and misrepresenting the situation. Some called the statement a “slap in the face to the military,” while others slammed the department for “lazy cut-and-paste messaging.”
By Sunday evening, LASD issued a public apology:
“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. This post was unacceptable, made in error, and does not reflect the views of Sheriff Robert G. Luna or the Department.”
Internal Review Underway
In response to the controversy, LASD said it is launching an internal review to determine how the original message was drafted and published. Officials also announced a reassessment of social media oversight procedures to prevent future miscommunications.
While the department has declined further comment, the incident has reignited debate over how local law enforcement agencies should navigate global conflicts and politically sensitive issues on public platforms.
Social media users continued to weigh in following the apology:
- “Thank you for clarifying. It was completely inappropriate,” one user wrote.
- “Hope the person responsible is held accountable,” said another.
- “Stay neutral and stick to law enforcement,” a third added.
The incident underscores the risks agencies face when responding in real-time to fast-developing international events — especially on platforms where public scrutiny is instant and unforgiving.
