Los Angeles has been gripped by chaos since Friday when US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials were attacked by protesters during a deportation raid. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said that the ICE officials were attacked by over 1000 protesters.
The DHS said in a press release on Saturday, “Last night, over 1,000 rioters surrounded a federal law enforcement building and assaulted ICE law enforcement officers, slashed tires, defaced buildings, and taxpayer funded property. It took the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) 2 hours to respond.” The DHS also accused Democrat politicians of instigating such attacks against ICE officials.
Assistant Secretary at DHS, Tricia McLaughlin, said, “Make no mistake, Democrat politicians like Hakeem Jeffries, Mayor Wu of Boston, Tim Walz, and Mayor Bass of Los Angeles are contributing to the surge in assaults of our ICE officers through their repeated vilification and demonization of ICE. From comparisons to the modern-day Nazi gestapo to glorifying rioters, the violent rhetoric of these sanctuary politicians is beyond the pale. This violence against ICE must end.”
Since then, the LAPD has attempted to contain the protests. However, the situation in Los Angeles has escalated significantly as well. Fox News Correspondent Bill Melugin reported quoting that sources that some of the criminals that were targeted during the ICE Raids that triggered the protests included violent gang members and sex offenders.
Violence, Looting and Mexican Flags in Los Angeles Protests
The protests have expectedly turned violent as law enforcement officials were targeted with bricks and arson attacks. A video has gone viral where a masked protester is seen pelting bricks at vehicles carrying federal agents.
JUST IN: Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino calls for the public to help identify a man throwing rocks at vehicles in Los Angeles where federal agents are conducting raids.
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) June 7, 2025
“We are currently seeking information regarding the identity of the person(s) throwing rocks at vehicles… pic.twitter.com/wZFgHMe792
As has been seen during past incidents of such protests, looting has begun as well. The Police seem either incapable or unwilling to prevent such reckless acts of criminality.
🚨 BREAKING: This is the scene inside of the AM/PM gas station.
— Cam Higby | America First 🇺🇸 (@camhigby) June 8, 2025
Fully robbed, fully looted. Glass everywhere completely raided pic.twitter.com/PjVHjdjcUH
Arson has also become rampant during the protests. The protesters are actively using fireworks to target the Police to impede the progress of the latter.
🚨BREAKING: The scene in LA is escalating quickly. More and more fires are lit, a tractor trailer is broken into, and an advance on the police line is made pic.twitter.com/HLDJQcUCjq
— Cam Higby | America First 🇺🇸 (@camhigby) June 8, 2025
ICE Protest in Compton, 4:49pm: pic.twitter.com/knQdMSh3pS
— Film The Police LA (@FilmThePoliceLA) June 8, 2025
The conspicuous presence of Mexican Flags during the protests has sparked strong reactions from the Trump Administration and their support base.
Antifa and Mexican nationalist rioters in Los Angeles use a stolen refrigerator as a makeshift shield against federal law enforcement in Compton. The rioters are part of an insurrection against the government. pic.twitter.com/J0aRBwwJBl
— Andy Ngo (@MrAndyNgo) June 8, 2025
Multiple arrests have been made in connection with the protests but the violence is far from over. Before the massive escalation in violence, the LAPD had released a statement asserting that the protests had been peaceful.
Trump Administration and Democrats Clash over LA Protests
Tensions have been simmering between the Trump Administration and California Governor Gavin Newsom and LA Mayor Karen Bass over the protests. The DHS bluntly accused Democrats of instigating violence against ICE officials. There are also differences between the Federal Government and the local administration regarding how to contain the protests.
Donald Trump has announced that the National Guard will be deployed to contain the protests in Los Angeles. The troops are expected to arrive within the next 24 hours. Gavin Newsom is strongly opposed to that.
He said on X, “The federal government is taking over the California National Guard and deploying 2,000 soldiers in Los Angeles — not because there is a shortage of law enforcement, but because they want a spectacle.”
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has also said that Marines could be deployed if the protests escalate further. Gavin Newsom responded to that saying, “The Secretary of Defense is now threatening to deploy active-duty Marines on American soil against its own citizens. This is deranged behaviour.”
Mayor Karen Bass was significantly less combative against the Trump Administration. She said in a statement on X, “Everyone has the right to peacefully protest, but let me be clear: violence and destruction are unacceptable, and those responsible will be held accountable.” However, earlier, she had heavily criticised the ICE raids that triggered the protests.
