Patel Warns of FBI Action Against Assaults on Officers Amid Los Angeles ICE Raids Protest

Violence erupted in Los Angeles over the weekend as anti-ICE riots rocked neighborhoods and left several law enforcement officers injured. On Saturday night, clashes escalated near Paramount, where immigration authorities navigating the area faced a barrage of rocks, stones, and pieces of concrete hurled by protestors. The attacks shattered vehicle windshields and resulted in at least one U.S. Border Patrol agent sustaining a bloody hand injury after a rock penetrated the glass. Federal officials have warned that such assaults could easily have led to fatalities.

In response to the escalating violence, President Donald Trump signed a Presidential Memorandum authorizing the deployment of 2,000 National Guardsmen to Los Angeles County. The move comes as local law enforcement struggles to regain control amid repeated attacks on federal agents. FBI Director Kash Patel issued a stern warning, stating, "If you assault a law enforcement officer, you’re going to jail—period." He emphasized, "It doesn’t matter where you came from, how you got here, or what cause you claim to represent. If local jurisdictions won’t stand behind the men and women who wear the badge, the FBI will."

U.S. Border Patrol Chief Michael W. Banks confirmed that multiple arrests have already been made for assaulting federal agents during the demonstrations. According to federal sources, the situation remains volatile, with agents narrowly escaping more serious injury or worse. "Agents could have been killed by the flying debris," one official noted, underscoring the gravity of the attacks.

Friday night’s unrest set the tone for the weekend, as more than 1,000 rioters surrounded a federal law enforcement building in Los Angeles. Protesters reportedly assaulted ICE agents, slashed the tires of federal vehicles, and defaced government property. The sustained nature of these riots marks a significant escalation in both scale and violence compared to previous protests seen throughout the city.

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem echoed federal warnings, declaring, "If you lay a hand on a law enforcement officer, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law." Meanwhile, FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino announced that the agency is actively seeking information about those responsible for hurling projectiles at law enforcement vehicles, noting that "it is only a matter of time" until suspects are identified and apprehended. Bongino specifically addressed individuals captured on video participating in the violence, stating, "I strongly suggest you turn yourself in—it’s only a matter of time."

The FBI maintains its largest immigration-focused unit in Los Angeles, and officials reiterated their commitment to holding perpetrators accountable. As the National Guard arrives to bolster security and protect federal operations, authorities have vowed to pursue aggressive prosecution against anyone targeting law enforcement officers, regardless of affiliation or motive. The situation remains tense as federal, state, and local agencies coordinate efforts to restore order and safeguard public safety in the wake of two nights of unrest.