LAPD Praises ‘Peaceful’ Rioters as They Set Cars on Fire and Attack Feds [WATCH]

Los Angeles has been the site of escalating anti-ICE riots over the past several days, with demonstrators targeting federal property, damaging vehicles, and clashing with law enforcement.

Despite widespread reports of violence, including the torching of vehicles and the assault of federal agents, local officials and police initially responded with statements that downplayed the severity of the unrest.

The situation began to deteriorate on Friday when demonstrators surrounded a federal detention facility in Los Angeles.

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According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), officers inside the building were blocked in by protesters, and local police did not respond to emergency calls for nearly two hours.

Demonstrators were seen throwing rocks at federal vehicles, damaging property, and waving foreign flags while setting cars on fire.

On Saturday, President Donald Trump announced the deployment of 2,000 National Guard members to Los Angeles in response to what he described as California officials’ failure to maintain public order.

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“These Radical Left protests, by instigators and often paid troublemakers, will NOT BE TOLERATED,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

He praised the National Guard and criticized California Governor Gavin Newsom for failing to act sooner.

Rather than support the decision, Newsom publicly objected to the deployment, claiming it would “erode trust” in the National Guard.

Despite the ongoing violence, his administration did not request assistance before federal action was taken.

The Los Angeles Police Department issued a statement late Saturday that further fueled controversy.

“Today, demonstrations across the city of Los Angeles remained peaceful, and we commend all those who exercised their First Amendment rights responsibly,” the LAPD said.

The department thanked demonstrators and organizers for their “cooperation” and added that protests concluded “without incident.”

The LAPD also stated it would maintain a “heightened readiness posture” to ensure public safety but made no mention of the violent events that occurred Friday near the federal detention facility, which falls under LAPD’s jurisdiction.

LAPD News: Los Angeles Police Department Statement Regarding Today’s Peaceful Protests pic.twitter.com/Il8RMlytx4

— LAPD PIO (@LAPDPIO) June 8, 2025

The department’s statement was met with immediate criticism on X, where users accused police of misrepresenting the situation.

Peaceful. You cowards https://t.co/365qPVffXZ pic.twitter.com/P16a6evD9k

— Marcus Aurelius (@MarcusACVRUFUS) June 8, 2025

Here are rioters smashing the windows of LAPD headquarters one day after LAPD called them “peaceful protesters” https://t.co/YTKCGmAsEZ pic.twitter.com/CjuTUOl8jd

— Mike Benz (@MikeBenzCyber) June 9, 2025

The department disabled comments on the post, prompting further backlash.

Liars always turn off the comments https://t.co/2YZxSeqbuu

— Rusty Shakleford (@shakl96655) June 8, 2025

Within hours of that statement, LAPD officers detained multiple individuals near the local office of the U.S. Department of Justice.

According to a post from the department’s Central Division, officers had ordered a dispersal around 9 p.m. on Alameda Street, between Aliso and Temple streets.

Several individuals returned to the restricted area and were subsequently arrested.

“Those detained will be arrested and booked for failing to disperse from an area where an unlawful assembly was ordered,” the LAPD said in a midnight update.

Mostly peaceful huh

— Sarah 🌴🌵 (@SarahfromOC) June 8, 2025

While Saturday’s most intense demonstrations occurred in areas like Paramount and Compton—outside of LAPD’s jurisdiction—critics noted that the department failed to address incidents within city limits, including damage and assaults near the federal facility the day before.

Federal authorities and National Guard members remain stationed in Los Angeles following President Trump’s deployment order.

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