Trump-era officials pushed back against Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass after she condemned federal immigration raids in the city, calling them terrorizing and vowing resistance.
Bass’s remarks came as police deployed flash bangs to disperse violent protests near arrest sites. Stephen Miller, former White House deputy chief of staff, asserted federal supremacy in immigration enforcement, while Tom Homan said authorities are mobilizing to control escalating violence.
Sebastian Gorka warned that aiding illegal immigrants could lead to prosecution. Justice Department official Harmeet Dhillon criticized Bass for ignoring federal authority. During the raids, protester David Huerta, head of California’s SEIU chapter, was arrested for blocking agents and faces federal charges. DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin accused LAPD of inaction as over 800 protesters vandalized federal buildings and attacked ICE personnel. Officials emphasized that the raids were lawful and warned that obstructing federal operations will be prosecuted. The clash highlights tensions between federal immigration enforcement and sanctuary city policies.