Rep. Maxine Waters confronted ICE and National Guard personnel amid anti-ICE protests in downtown Los Angeles on June 8. Videos show Waters taunting agents, demanding, “Are you going to shoot an elected official? If you shoot me, you better shoot straight,” and questioning why federal forces were present in the city. The demonstration followed violent unrest where protesters attacked federal officers with rocks and concrete during immigration enforcement raids.
Waters attempted to enter the Los Angeles federal building to check on SEIU President David Huerta, who was injured and detained. She invoked “congressional authority,” but was denied entry due to building security lockdown following the unrest.
After the confrontation, Waters posted on X stating she had “pled with the National Guard… not to use their weapons against peaceful demonstrators,” and emphasized the importance of dignity and due process during protests.
Her open defiance of federal authorities and support for protestors engaged in violence illustrates the heightened tensions between conservative law-and-order advocates and progressive lawmakers. Critics argue her actions encourage defiance of federal law enforcement and risk public safety while undermining the principle of sanctuary for workers and students.
