The Trump admin will not play around with law and order. For too long, criminals have been getting away with violence.
But now Trump’s Department of Justice has laid down the hammer on anti-ICE radical rioters.
DOJ Intensifies Prosecutions Following Anti-Deportation Riots in California
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has significantly increased its legal actions against individuals involved in anti-deportation riots that broke out in central California in June, according to a statement from a local federal prosecutor on Wednesday.
Bill Essayli, Acting U.S. Attorney and a President Donald Trump appointee, announced that his office has charged 53 individuals with crimes related to “assaults on [federal] agents or interference with immigration enforcement” since the riots began in Los Angeles. The unrest was sparked by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids, with rioters setting fires and attacking law enforcement. This marks a sharp rise from June 17, when Essayli reported that “more than 20” defendants had been charged.
Of the cases, nine have advanced to grand jury indictments, seven defendants waived their right to an indictment, and four have entered guilty pleas, Essayli noted. Seven cases were dismissed but could be refiled, while 26 others are progressing through various stages of the court system, he added.
Essayli, who assumed his role in April, provided these updates to address what he described as “misinformation going around about the great work being done by our amazing federal prosecutors.” Recent reports from mainstream media suggested that some cases lacked sufficient evidence or were struggling to hold up in court.
“It’s not uncommon for a complaint to be dismissed so that law enforcement can conduct additional investigation and collect more evidence,” Essayli explained.
The riots began in Los Angeles on June 6 after a local union leader was arrested for allegedly obstructing ICE agents during the transport of migrants. Left-wing activists used social media to rally supporters of undocumented immigrants to protest at a federal building, drawing hundreds. The demonstration quickly escalated into violence and vandalism.
The Small Business Administration (SBA) estimated damages in Los Angeles at approximately $1 billion due to the multi-day riots. Federal authorities have been “tracing money” linked to the violence for potential additional prosecutions, according to Essayli and other officials in June. “A lot more to come,” Essayli stated Wednesday about his team’s ongoing efforts. “Stay tuned.”
Public Calls for Accountability in Anti-ICE Riots
Recent polling and public sentiment indicate that a significant majority of Americans support charging and holding accountable those who obstruct Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, particularly following the violent anti-deportation riots in Los Angeles. A Rasmussen Reports poll conducted in July 2025 found that 68% of likely U.S. voters believe individuals who interfere with federal immigration enforcement should face criminal charges, with 54% favoring felony charges for violent acts against agents.
The riots, which caused an estimated $1 billion in damages, have fueled public frustration. A Pew Research Center survey from late June 2025 revealed that 72% of Americans disapprove of violent protests against ICE operations, with 61% expressing support for stricter penalties for those who assault federal agents or damage public property. This sentiment is particularly strong in communities affected by the riots, where local businesses and residents bore the brunt of the destruction.
Legal experts note that the DOJ’s aggressive prosecution strategy aligns with public demand for order. “The public wants to see consequences for actions that undermine federal law enforcement,” said John Malcolm, a senior legal fellow at the Heritage Foundation, in a recent interview with The Hill.
However, some civil rights groups argue that the prosecutions risk escalating tensions. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) issued a statement in July 2025 cautioning that overly broad charges could infringe on free speech rights, particularly for non-violent protesters. Despite this, public opinion appears to lean heavily toward accountability, with a Gallup poll from early July 2025 showing 65% of Americans believe the DOJ should prioritize cases involving violence or obstruction over minor protest activities.
The financial toll of the riots has also amplified calls for justice. The SBA’s $1 billion damage estimate has prompted local leaders to demand federal support for recovery efforts. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, in a July 2025 press conference, urged the DOJ to focus on “those who incited and carried out the violence,” emphasizing that the city’s small businesses deserve protection and restitution.
Analysts suggest that the DOJ’s focus on tracing financial networks linked to the riots could uncover organized efforts to disrupt ICE operations, further strengthening the case for prosecutions. A report from the Washington Examiner in July 2025 highlighted that federal authorities are investigating potential funding sources for the protests, including activist groups and crowdfunding platforms. This has resonated with Americans, 70% of whom, according to a YouGov poll, support investigating the financial backers of violent protests.
