Los Angeles Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins reported that violent protests over recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids—including property damage and threats targeting federal agents—forced the LA VA Ambulatory Care Center to close temporarily. Collins cited the safety of veterans and staff as the reason for halting in-person visits, which have been shifted to telehealth until conditions improve.
The unrest prompted President Trump to deploy approximately 2,000 National Guard troops and U.S. Marines from Camp Pendleton. Collins condemned the demonstrators, saying their actions disrupted veterans’ healthcare. A photo also surfaced showing graffiti on the clinic’s exterior with profanity and threats directed at federal personnel.
This marks a bold federal response under the Impoundment Control Act, as the administration uses military forces domestically to restore order and support ICE operations. Federal officials emphasized arrests and legal consequences for violent behavior, signaling a zero-tolerance stance amid escalating tensions.
The timing of the protests—occurring ahead of upcoming ICE operations—raises national security concerns. The administration’s rapid deployment of troops illustrates a willingness to prioritize federal authority and veteran welfare over local objections. The clinic will reopen when safety is assured, but the incident underlines how violent mob actions now directly impact critical federal services to veterans.
