As millions demonstrated across the country Saturday in the latest round of 'No Kings' protests, Congressman Chip Roy (R-TX) seized on a disturbing moment from Los Angeles to make his case for fully funding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Rep. Roy commented on a video showing an individual spray-painting "kill your local ICE agent" on the side of a federal building in Los Angeles, where tens of thousands had gathered downtown.
He attached a pointed message saying, “This is why the House Republicans stayed in DC - to fight to fully fund ICE & stand on the side of law and order.”
Footage of Protest
The footage emerged as organizers estimated around 50,000 people rallied at Gloria Molina Grand Park outside City Hall, but the demonstration turned chaotic as the evening progressed.
The Los Angeles Police Department placed the city on tactical alert around 5:30 p.m. and issued a dispersal order near Alameda Street. When some refused to leave, officers began making arrests roughly thirty minutes later.
Violence also broke out near the Roybal Federal Building.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reported that a group surrounded the building and began hurling rocks, bottles, and cement blocks at officers.
Additionally, two federal agents were struck by cement blocks and required medical attention. U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli (R-CA) confirmed that federal agents arrested individuals captured on video assaulting officers, with at least two people facing felony charges.
Police then lifted the tactical alert around 8 p.m. after clearing the area.
Texas Rally's
The unrest in Los Angeles stood in contrast to what unfolded elsewhere. In Roy's home state of Texas, more than a dozen North Texas rallies remained largely peaceful.
However, in Dallas, police arrested one man accused of throwing punches at counter-protesters, a group that notably included Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes and Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio, both of whom received prison sentences for their roles in the January 6 Capitol attack.
For Roy, the day's violence was less a footnote than concrete evidence, he argued, that the fight to fully fund ICE is far from over.
