Los Angeles is reeling after days of violent anti-ICE demonstrations that have resulted in chaos across the city, serious injuries to law enforcement, and a staggering cost to taxpayers.
According to Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert G. Luna, nearly a dozen deputies have been injured during the ongoing unrest that erupted at the beginning of June as Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents carried out raids on criminal suspects.
What began as a supposed protest against immigration enforcement has quickly spiraled into something far more dangerous.
Sheriff Luna reported that his deputies had been hit with rocks, Molotov cocktails, and what he called “high-grade pyrotechnics.” “There’s a clear difference between peaceful protest and what we’re seeing now,” Luna said. “These are coordinated attacks on law enforcement.”
The violence prompted a press conference last Friday, where officials outlined security measures ahead of even larger nationwide demonstrations planned for Saturday. “It’s one thing to voice your opinion,” Luna said. “But it’s another to ambush deputies with explosives and firebombs.”
“We support free speech and lawful protest, but we will not tolerate lawlessness, vandalism, or attacks on those sworn to protect our communities,” said Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell, echoing that message while warning that anyone arriving in the city looking to riot or harm officers would be arrested.
Since June 6, more than 100 rioters have been arrested, and a strict curfew remains in effect through the weekend. Law enforcement agencies, including LAPD, ICE, and the California Highway Patrol, are being supported by approximately 2,000 National Guard troops deployed under orders from President Trump. The deployment came after widespread arson, assaults, and property destruction, including fires near the Metropolitan Detention Center and attacks on autonomous vehicles on Highway 101.
Despite pushback from California officials, including Governor Gavin Newsom, federal authorities have emphasized the need for action. “These aren’t immigration protests,” said former Border Patrol Chief Tom Homan. “These are responses to legitimate law enforcement operations targeting serious criminals: child predators, gang members, and individuals tied to violent crimes.”
According to Homan, ICE’s recent raids in Los Angeles—including locations like the Fashion District and a Westlake warehouse—were tied to ongoing investigations into criminal conspiracies involving tax evasion, customs fraud, and money laundering totaling tens of millions of dollars.
ICE and law enforcement leaders have also blamed local sanctuary policies and divisive political rhetoric for inflaming tensions. ICE officials reported a “dramatic increase” in assaults on agents, citing politicians who continue to vilify law enforcement while ignoring the real risks officers face.
Meanwhile, the cost of restoring order is mounting fast. The Pentagon announced that the 60-day deployment of National Guard and Marine personnel to Los Angeles will cost taxpayers $134 million. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended the deployment, calling accusations from Rep. Pete Aguilar about lack of preparedness “disingenuous.” Hegseth reaffirmed the military’s commitment to supporting law enforcement and protecting innocent civilians while California’s leadership remains passive.
For real-time tracking of the protests and law enforcement responses, the platform SeeItSendIt.com has emerged as a critical tool. It offers geo-tagged incident updates, live video uploads, and dashboards for public safety professionals. Founder Dan Kerning praised its role in helping law enforcement coordinate efforts and respond effectively in dangerous conditions.
As the situation develops, one thing is clear: while California officials worry about optics, it’s law enforcement and federal agencies doing the hard work of keeping the streets safe, at great personal risk and cost to the American taxpayer.
