Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) was present in Los Angeles on Friday during protests outside a federal ICE detention facility, where demonstrators clashed with federal law enforcement officers and local police during the nationwide “ICE Out Everywhere” protests.
According to local reports, tensions escalated as some demonstrators threw objects toward federal agents, who responded with pepper balls and other nonlethal crowd-control measures. At one point, a dumpster was reportedly moved toward the entrance of the facility and set on fire. More than 100 Los Angeles Police Department officers in riot gear responded to the scene.
Videos circulating on social media show Rep. Waters speaking to demonstrators near the federal building as officers ordered the crowd to disperse for being on federal property. After pepper spray was deployed, Waters was seen wearing a mask and continuing to address the crowd, encouraging them to remain in the area.
In one clip, Waters tells independent reporter Anthony Cabassa that her message to demonstrators is to “stay on the street.” When informed that some protesters had moved onto federal property, she repeated the instruction to remain on the street.
Waters also addressed ICE agents directly, saying, “We don’t want you in Los Angeles… We are not going away. We don’t want you in any of our cities in this country, and we’re going to fight you every inch of the way.” She later criticized President Trump in strong terms, accusing him of targeting immigrant communities and calling for continued public opposition to federal immigration enforcement efforts.
When asked about reports of objects being thrown at officers, Waters said she had not witnessed that behavior and emphasized that she supports peaceful protest protected by the Constitution. She added that demonstrators should be cautious, citing what she described as aggressive law enforcement tactics.
Earlier, President Trump stated that he had directed Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to ensure strong protection of federal buildings during the unrest. In a statement, he said ICE and Border Patrol had been instructed to be forceful in defending federal property and warned that assaults on officers or property would result in consequences.
The situation remains under review as authorities assess the events that occurred during the protest.