Riots against ICE in LA continue to escalate and Hegseth threatens to deploy Marines

Violent protests against ICE continued to escalate in Los Angeles, despite the Trump administration's deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops. Vandals attacked an ICE detention center on Temple Street, prompting Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to warn that the administration is considering deploying Marines to restore order.

In a post on X, the Pentagon chief accused the organizers and participants of the violent protests of attempting to obstruct "the removal of illegal aliens with criminal records from our territory — a dangerous invasion facilitated by criminal cartels (also referred to as foreign terrorist organizations) and a major NATIONAL SECURITY RISK."

The Secretary of Defense warned that "under President Trump, violence & destruction against federal agents & federal facilities will NOT be tolerated. It’s COMMON SENSE." He added that if the unrest continues, the Marines will be tasked with restoring order in the Golden State.

Two arrested for assaulting a deputy, three law enforcement officers injured

The Los Angeles Sheriff's Department announced that two individuals have been arrested and charged with assaulting a law enforcement officer, according to a department spokesperson. Additionally, three deputies reportedly sustained minor injuries after being struck and from the impact of a Molotov cocktail thrown during the incident.

"We are planning for long term civil unrest and collaborating with our law enforcement partners," the spokesman said Saturday. In a separate statement, the sheriff urged calm but emphasized a firm stance against violence: "We will protect your right to peacefully demonstrate, but we will not tolerate violence or destruction of property. I urge the community to address the situation peacefully, as we do not want anyone to get hurt."

The prosecutor's office warns, "We will identify you. We'll find you and we'll come get you"

Additionally, the Prosecutor's Office warned that individuals involved in the violent protests are being identified and will face the full extent of the law. Los Angeles Chief Federal Prosecutor Bill Essayli told KCAL-9 News: "We got lots of video online and both surveillance videos. We have FBI teams working around the clock; we will identify you. We will find you and we'll come get you."

Essayli stated that the vandals "appear to be highly coordinated and sophisticated. We saw union activists and organizers involved in these efforts to resist our operations." In connection with these events, David Huerta, president of the California Service Employees International Union, was arrested on Friday for allegedly interfering with federal agents.