Violence erupted in Los Angeles over the weekend as protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) turned chaotic. The unrest began on Friday and quickly escalated, with rioters throwing rocks and Molotov cocktails at police. This prompted a strong response from law enforcement, including the deployment of the National Guard and U.S. Marines.
The protests were sparked by ongoing tensions around immigration policies, particularly those enacted by former President Donald Trump. Critics, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, have accused Trump of inciting violence through his hardline immigration stance. Ocasio-Cortez characterized the rioters as unruly teens rather than violent anarchists and suggested that the chaos was a result of Trump’s immigration enforcement actions.
During the protests, some demonstrators waved Mexican flags and clashed with law enforcement. Ocasio-Cortez took to social media to express her views, arguing that Democrats should not feel responsible for the actions of a few individuals and should instead hold the Trump administration accountable for creating a hostile environment. She stated that the situation escalated after ICE conducted aggressive raids in public spaces, which she claimed were unnecessary and illegal.
The violence led to significant property damage, with reports of looting and vandalism, including at the Los Angeles Police Department headquarters. Amid the chaos, one individual, identified as Elpidio Reyna, was caught on video throwing rocks at police vehicles. The FBI is currently searching for Reyna, offering a reward for information leading to his arrest.
Local officials, including California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, have also pointed fingers at Trump, suggesting that his policies have incited this unrest. They argue that the situation could have been avoided had the federal government taken a more compassionate approach to immigration.
In response to the violence, Trump defended his administration’s actions, claiming that without the military’s intervention, the situation in Los Angeles would have worsened. He expressed pride in his decision to send troops to restore order, stating that the city was fortunate to have received federal support.
As the situation unfolds, it remains unclear how long the unrest will continue or what further actions will be taken by law enforcement and government officials. The protests reflect deep divisions over immigration policy in the United States and the ongoing debate about how to handle illegal immigration.