Federal Officials Condemn Democrats for 'Dangerous' Rhetoric as ICE Agents Confront Violent Mobs in LA and NYC
ICE arrests 118 in Los Angeles as protests turn violent with rioters attacking officers and damaging federal property.
Federal officials are intensifying calls for leading Democrat politicians to moderate what they describe as "dangerous and inflammatory rhetoric" directed at Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. This appeal follows a weekend marked by violent protests and tumult in both Los Angeles and New York City, sparked by recent immigration enforcement actions.
According to authorities, tensions flared in Los Angeles on Friday when ICE agents detained multiple individuals during raids across seven locations. The enforcement operations prompted crowds to gather rapidly, culminating in scenes of unrest. Protesters reportedly attempted to breach the Roybal Federal Building, and within hours, city police declared an unlawful assembly, triggering a citywide tactical alert that stretched LAPD resources into the early morning hours.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a statement expressing concern over what it characterizes as an alarming escalation in violence against federal law enforcement. DHS reported that more than 1,000 rioters surrounded a federal building, damaging property and targeting ICE officers—acts described as part of a 413% spike in assaults on ICE personnel compared to previous periods. DHS also highlighted disturbing incidents where ICE officers’ family members have become targets through doxing.
Federal officials attribute the surge in anti-ICE sentiment, and its violent consequences, to remarks from prominent Democrat leaders across the country. Politicians including New York Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass have recently criticized ICE’s enforcement operations, rhetoric that some say has "villainized and demonized" officers and emboldened activists. In an official statement, Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin condemned both the violence and the language used by some elected officials, declaring, “The violent targeting of law enforcement... is despicable and must be stopped. The men and women of ICE put their lives on the line to protect and defend the lives of American citizens.”
This week’s ICE operations resulted in the arrest of 118 individuals in Los Angeles alone, including five gang members and numerous suspects with criminal backgrounds involving offenses like drug trafficking, assault, and robbery. Nationwide, about 2,000 people were taken into custody as part of ongoing enforcement efforts.
ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons decried the events in Los Angeles as "appalling," asserting that law enforcement officers were met with violent resistance while performing their duties. Lyons maintained that ICE remains committed to its mission, emphasizing, “These violent rioters will be held accountable if they harm federal officers, and make no mistake, ICE will continue to enforce our nation’s immigration laws.” He added that perceived political opposition to federal enforcement only increases risks to communities, officers, and detainees alike.
The disorder was not limited to the West Coast. In New York City, anti-ICE demonstrators gathered Saturday outside the Jacobs Javits Federal Building. Police responded to reports of a group blocking traffic and attempting to impede an ICE van. After repeated warnings went unheeded, NYPD officers took five protesters into custody and cleared the area, allowing the van to proceed without further incident.
Elsewhere in California, there were reports of tear gas deployed during a confrontation in Paramount, where ICE officers were allegedly conducting a raid. Los Angeles County officials have yet to comment on these developments.
As federal and local agencies brace for continued demonstrations, the debate over immigration enforcement and its place in American cities remains highly charged. Authorities urge both caution and restraint, warning that escalated rhetoric and civil unrest put not only ICE personnel but also the broader public at risk.
