Vice President Kamala Harris expressed support for anti-ICE protestors in Los Angeles just days after violent rioters assaulted federal agents during immigration enforcement operations. On June 6, officers from Border Patrol and ICE were targeted with rocks and concrete while carrying out arrests, resulting in injuries and damaged vehicles. A CBP agent suffered a hand injury when a rock cracked his windshield. Protests rapidly escalated with fires, freeway blockades, and aggressive confrontations with law enforcement.
Federal authorities responded by deploying National Guard troops and additional law enforcement to stabilize the situation. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem stated that those who attacked officers would be prosecuted, and FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino launched efforts to identify and arrest suspects. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth placed 500 Marines on standby, with President Trump affirming the federal government’s responsibility to uphold law and order.
Despite widespread violence, Harris condemned the federal response, describing it as “cruel” and “calculated.” She praised the demonstrators for “standing up to protect fundamental rights,” while California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass also criticized the federal action, calling it unauthorized and inflammatory. Their statements came even as protestors ignited property and obstructed emergency services in the heart of the city.
The incident has reignited debate over state sovereignty, law enforcement, and the rights of citizens versus the role of the federal government in maintaining order. Conservative leaders argue Harris’s support for the protestors, despite clear violence, signals a dangerous tolerance for lawlessness. The administration’s actions underscore a broader strategy to protect federal personnel and enforce immigration law in defiance of local political resistance.
