FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino issued a stark warning to rioters in Los Angeles who were throwing rocks at federal agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as they passed by.
The deputy director requested the public’s help in identifying these individuals and cautioned the offenders that it was “only a matter of time” before they would be apprehended.
“We are actively seeking information regarding the identity of the person(s) who are throwing rocks at vehicles engaged in essential law enforcement operations,” he stated in a post on X.
“One of the individuals in this video is wearing a helmet, and we will utilize our investigative resources to find this person. I strongly advise you to surrender; it’s only a matter of time,” he added.
FBI Director Kash Patel also conveyed a clear message to the suspects.
“If you assault a police officer, you will be arrested… it does not matter where you originated, how you arrived, or which movement you align with. If the local police do not support our officers on the thin blue line, we @FBI will,” he remarked.
ICE agents conducted operations on Friday, targeting multiple locations throughout Los Angeles — including a clothing warehouse in the Fashion District — after a judge determined there was probable cause that the employer was utilizing fraudulent documents for some of its employees, as reported by Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, according to CBS News.
Tensions escalated quickly.
A crowd gathered outside one location, attempting to obstruct the agents from departing, which made the situation tense and chaotic.
Simultaneously, protests erupted downtown at a federal building following rumors that detainees were being held in the basement.
On Saturday, demonstrators took to the streets in Paramount, a city in L.A. County, after it appeared that federal agents were conducting another immigration raid.
Following the arrests on Friday, protesters assembled outside a federal detention center that evening, chanting, “Set them free, let them stay!”
Some individuals displayed anti-ICE signs, while others escalated the situation by vandalizing the building with graffiti.
Among those detained during the protests was David Huerta, the regional president of the Service Employees International Union. Ciaran McEvoy, a spokesman for the Justice Department, confirmed that Huerta is being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Los Angeles and is scheduled to appear in court on Monday.
Late on Saturday night, President Trump signed a memorandum invoking Title 10 Authority, directing the deployment of at least 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles County for a duration of 60 days or at the discretion of the Secretary of Defense.
He was unequivocal in his stance.
“If Governor Gavin Newsom of California and Mayor Karen Bass of Los Angeles are unable to fulfill their responsibilities, which is widely acknowledged, then the Federal Government will intervene to address the issue of RIOTS & LOOTERS, as it should be addressed!!!” Trump stated on Truth Social.
A Defense Department representative informed CBS News that the majority of the 2,000 troops will be sourced from the California National Guard.
“Furthermore, the Secretary of Defense may utilize any additional members of the regular Armed Forces as deemed necessary to enhance and support the safeguarding of Federal functions and property in any quantity he finds appropriate,” the memorandum indicated.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also expressed his views in a post on X.
“The violent mob attacks on ICE and Federal Law Enforcement are intended to obstruct the removal of Criminal Illegal Aliens from our territory; a perilous invasion enabled by criminal cartels (also known as Foreign Terrorist Organizations) and a significant NATIONAL SECURITY THREAT,” he remarked.
“Under President Trump, acts of violence and destruction against federal agents and facilities will NOT be accepted. It’s COMMON SENSE. The @DeptofDefense is promptly mobilizing the National Guard to assist federal law enforcement in Los Angeles. Moreover, if violence persists, active duty Marines stationed at Camp Pendleton will also be mobilized — they are currently on high alert,” he added.
