By Tyler O’Neil | Daily Signal
UPDATE: Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell said in a Sunday evening press conference that the violence was “getting increasingly worse and more violent.”
“This violence that I’ve seen, it’s disgusting,” McDonnell said, according to Fox News. “It’s escalated now, since the beginning of this incident. What we saw the first night was bad. What we’ve seen subsequent to that is getting increasingly worse and more violent.”
“We’ve seen people with hammers … breaking the bollards behind the federal building and taking the rocks. If you will, or pieces of concrete and throwing them at officers,” McDonnell added. “We’ve had liquid—of who knows what, description thrown at officers. There’s no limit to what they’re, doing to our officers,” he added.
President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social, “Jim McDonnell, the highly respected LAPD Chief, just stated that the protesters are getting very much more aggressive, and that he would ‘have to reassess the situation,’ as it pertains to bringing in the troops. He should, RIGHT NOW!!! Don’t let these thugs get away with this. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!”
California Gov. Gavin Newsom criticized Trump in a X post, writing, “Local law enforcement didn’t need help” and “Trump sent troops anyway — to manufacture chaos and violence.”
Let’s get this straight:
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) June 9, 2025
1) Local law enforcement didn’t need help.
2) Trump sent troops anyway — to manufacture chaos and violence.
3) Trump succeeded.
4) Now things are destabilized and we need to send in more law enforcement just to clean up Trump’s mess. https://t.co/g6bwwZ29fc
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, a Democrat, wrote on X, “Angelenos — don’t engage in violence and chaos. Don’t give the administration what they want.”
During the night, Los Angeles police declared an “UNLAWFUL ASSEMBLY” in the downtown area.
Downtown Los Angeles has been declared as an UNLAWFUL ASSEMBLY.
— LAPD Central Division (@LAPDCentral) June 9, 2025
You are to leave the Downtown Area immediately.
The LAPD also urged Los Angeles residents to document looting.
All DTLA businesses or residents are requested to report any vandalism, damage or looting to LAPD Central Division so that it can be documented by an official police report. Please photograph all vandalism and damage prior to clean up.
— LAPD Central Division (@LAPDCentral) June 9, 2025
FBI Director Kash Patel said in a X post, “LA is under siege by marauding criminals, and we will restore law and order.”
Just so we are clear, this FBI needs no one’s permission to enforce the constitution. My responsibility is to the American people, not political punch lines. LA is under siege by marauding criminals, and we will restore law and order. I’m not asking you, I’m telling you.
— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) June 9, 2025
The Department of Homeland Security posted on X, “ORDER WILL BE RESTORED” and “Violence and intimidation against federal law enforcement will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
ORDER WILL BE RESTORED. pic.twitter.com/FIGrWdVk7G
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) June 9, 2025
Our law enforcement officers are just doing their jobs.
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) June 8, 2025
Violence and intimidation against federal law enforcement will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
The United States is a nation of laws, and lawbreakers will be brought to justice. pic.twitter.com/0wytuvEO5R
President Donald Trump deployed the National Guard to the Los Angeles area after protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids escalated into riots over the weekend.
ICE began the raids Friday, and agitators took to the streets in downtown Los Angeles and Paramount, Calif. Democrats condemned both the ICE raids and the National Guard response to the riots.
“In recent days, violent mobs have attacked ICE officers and federal law enforcement agents carrying out basic deportation operations in Los Angeles, California,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a news release Saturday. “These operations are essential to halting and reversing the invasion of illegal criminals into the United States. In the wake of this violence, California’s feckless Democrat leaders have completely abdicated their responsibility to protect their citizens.”
“That is why President Trump has signed a presidential memorandum deploying 2,000 National Guardsmen to address the lawlessness that has been allowed to fester,” Leavitt added. “The Trump Administration has a zero tolerance policy for criminal behavior and violence, especially when that violence is aimed at law enforcement officers trying to do their jobs.”