LA Sheriff’s dept. apologizes, deletes posts calling US airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear sites ‘tragic’

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department had to “formally apologize” after it posted and then deleted a message about the “tragic” strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities.

The department came under immediate backlash and soon learned that the Internet is forever, as the deleted post was highlighted by other social media users.

“Our hearts go out to the victims and families impacted by the recent bombings in Iran,” the now-deleted post read. “While this tragic event happened overseas, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is closely monitoring the situation alongside our local, state and federal partners.”

BREAKING: LA County Sheriff’s Dept just EDITED their tweet where they sent condolences to Iran for their nuclear targets being destroyed.

But the internet is forever.

Here’s the before and after: https://t.co/56A8tBgdCQ pic.twitter.com/5H7PcF4rOM

— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) June 23, 2025

An update to the post eliminated the condolences to “the victims and families” after backlash, as the department was called out for referring to the military airstrikes as “tragic.”

Eventually, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deleted the post altogether after coming under fire for the “shocking” post.

NEW: Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department edits post after sending condolences to families in Iran who were “impacted” by Iran’s nuclear sites getting blown up. pic.twitter.com/Bmg238AjGn

— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) June 23, 2025

“This is the CRAZIEST reaction to President Trump delivering MONUMENTAL devastation to Iran’s nuclear sites,” one X user wrote in response to the department’s initial posting.

“It is shocking that the LA Sheriff Department employs someone who would post such messages when our brave men and women are risking their lives to protect our country,” wrote another.

The advocacy group Stop Antisemitism wondered if the LA County Sheriff’s Department account had been hacked.

We sincerely hope your account was hacked. There were no victims in last night’s successful targeting of Iran’s nuclear sites. Please verify this post was not posted by an employee of the LA County Sheriff’s HQ, @CAgovernor @KarenBassLA @LeoTerrellDOJ

— StopAntisemitism (@StopAntisemites) June 23, 2025

The department responded with a statement on Sunday, “apologizing” for the “offensive and inappropriate” post.

“We are issuing this statement to formally apologize for an offensive and inappropriate social media post recently posted on our Department’s social media platforms regarding the ongoing conflict in Iran,” the LA County Sheriff’s statement read.

“This post was unacceptable, made in error, and does not reflect the views of Sheriff Robert G. Luna or the Department. As a law enforcement agency, we do not comment on foreign policy or military matters. Our mission remains solely focused on protecting public safety and serving our diverse communities.”

pic.twitter.com/z6MhYB8knl

— LA County Sheriffs (@LASDHQ) June 23, 2025

The department noted that it “launched an internal review to determine how it was created and published.”

“Steps are being taken to strengthen our social media oversight protocols and ensure that any future communications align with our Department’s standards of professionalism, respect, and accountability,” the statement read. “We appreciate the continued trust of our community and will work diligently to reaffirm that trust every day.”

The department’s efforts were met with skepticism on X.

Who wrote it and authorized it? Asking for a friend.

— Retard Finder (@IfindRetards) June 23, 2025

How was in made in error? Please elaborate. Did someone slip, fall, and accidentally type that out and hit send on the way down?

— Burt Macklin (@BurtMaclin_FBI) June 23, 2025

You’re doing an internal review to determine who published it?

Are you trying to tell us that you don’t know who runs your social media?

— Sarah Fields (@SarahisCensored) June 23, 2025

This apology is disingenuous. Investigating yourselves is nonsense—you know exactly what happened and who posted it. It reflects your department’s values, filled with weakness, and only now you’re backtracking because you got called out.

— Grass (@DewyGrassBlades) June 23, 2025

That was embarrassing

— Eric Stadler (@ESTechonline) June 23, 2025

Senior Staff Writer
[email protected]

Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.

Latest posts by Frieda Powers (see all)

We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.