Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department(LASD) is under fire after it posted a message on X (formerly Twitter) expressing condolences for the “victims of the recent US bombings in Iran”. The post quickly went viral, triggering swift backlash from the public and commentators who criticized the department for wading into sensitive geopolitical waters.The now-deleted post 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.”It further assured residents of LA that there were “no known threats to Los Angeles County” but stated that patrols were being increased at places of worship and sensitive sites “out of an abundance of caution.”The message drew sharp criticism from users who argued the Sheriff’s Department had overstepped its jurisdiction by commenting on a US military operation abroad. Some accused the department of undermining national policy, while others questioned whether such a statement was appropriate or necessary from a local law enforcement agency.Facing mounting pressure, LASD later issued a public apology via the same platform, stating:“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”.The United States officially entered the Israel-Iran conflict by launching airstrikes on three of Iran’s key nuclear facilities. The US bombings were launched in response to escalating regional tensions, which have been a flashpoint for global reactions.
