This article may contain commentary
which reflects the author’s opinion.
A photo of California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom posing for a photo with other top state Democrats in front of a federal building that had just been attacked by anti-ICE agitators is going viral.
Newsom, who is likely going to run for president in 2028, posed with Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and Rep. Maxine Waters in a photo posted by actor James Woods, as LAPD officers stood guard at the entrance of the building, which was inundated with trash.
“Communists catching a photo op at the anti-ICE Riots to distract from the coming fraud investigations that will ruin their shitty lives,” James wrote in the post along with the photo.
Los Angeles Police Department officers arrested several people early Monday morning following protests outside a federal detention center in the city that grew unruly and at times turned violent, authorities said, per Fox News.
The demonstrations occurred Sunday evening outside the Federal Detention Center in downtown Los Angeles, where groups assembled to protest immigration enforcement actions and federal detention policies.
While much of the protest was peaceful, portions of the crowd became aggressive, and officers moved in to disperse individuals engaged in unlawful conduct, including vandalism and attempts to block roadways.
LAPD said in a statement that officers took multiple people into custody on charges including resisting arrest and unlawful assembly, and that additional charges are expected as the investigation continues. No serious injuries were reported, though police noted several officers and bystanders were struck with projectiles during the unrest.
“We had hoped that demonstrations today would be peaceful; however, as you can see in this video, the violent agitators invited LAPD due to their actions,” the department wrote.
Bass announced during a news conference on Friday evening that five individuals had been arrested for failure to disperse. The LAPD did not immediately confirm the number of arrests.
“I think the protests are extremely important, but it is equally important for these protests to be peaceful, for vandalism not to take place,” Bass said. “That does not impact the administration in any kind of way that is going to bring about any type of change.”
Bass then remarkably claimed that violent protests are “exactly what I believe this administration wants to see happen,” despite the fact that she and most other Democrats have been actively encouraging people to openly and physically oppose ICE and other federal law enforcement operations.
She added, “Don’t be surprised if the military reenters our city” – a reference to President Trump’s deployment of active duty forces and the California National Guard last summer to protect federal property.
What Bass did not address was the fact that Trump implored her Newsom who several times to step up and handle the growing anti-ICE protests but they refused to do so.
Authorities said the protest attracted hundreds of participants and at times blocked traffic on city streets near the detention center. Videos shared on social media showed clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement as officers sought to prevent property damage and maintain public safety, Fox reported.
“Protestors are actively fighting with Officers after multiple dispersal orders were issued,” LAPD wrote on X at one point during the melee. “Metropolitan Division is now on scene. Less than lethal has been authorized due to the violence against officers.”
Officials from the federal detention facility declined to comment on the protest or arrests. City leaders emphasized cooperation between local and federal law-enforcement agencies during the demonstrations.
LAPD said it will review body-camera footage and other evidence as part of its ongoing investigation into the protest and arrests. Anyone with information about specific incidents is encouraged to contact authorities.
For her part, Waters encouraged the violence, appearing at the protest earlier and chanting, “ICE out of L.A.” in front of officers wearing riot gear.
“What I see here at the detention center are people exercising their constitutional rights,” Waters said. “And of course, they’re now trying to tear gas everybody. It’s in the air, but people are not moving.”
