Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell has issued a robust defense of his officers’ actions during recent protests in Los Angeles County, which were ignited by federal immigration enforcement operations beginning around June 6.
In a written statement released on June 24, 2025, Chief McDonnell addressed the volatile situation that unfolded over several days, acknowledging the public’s deep “fear and pain” linked to federal enforcement activities. However, he also asserted that expressions of peaceful dissent were, at times, “hijacked by violence, vandalism, and criminal aggression.”
Origins of the Unrest
The protests initially erupted following daytime immigration raids conducted by federal agents on June 6 in the Westlake District, downtown, and South LA. These operations quickly drew crowds who attempted to prevent agents from detaining individuals, setting the stage for continued demonstrations.
As tensions mounted and protests persisted for days, the situation escalated, prompting President Trump to authorize the deployment of National Guard and U.S. Marines troops to the area.
Early in the crisis, Chief McDonnell moved to clarify the LAPD’s role. On June 6, he stated unequivocally that the LAPD was not assisting federal agents with immigration enforcement. His statement read, “While the LAPD will continue to have a visible presence in all our communities to ensure public safety, we will not assist or participate in any sort of mass deportations, nor will the LAPD try to determine an individual’s immigration status.” This clarification aimed to distinguish local law enforcement’s role from federal actions, though it did not prevent the subsequent unrest.
Escalation and Official Response
The demonstrations, particularly those in downtown LA, became increasingly violent. In response, Mayor Karen Bass implemented a curfew for a one-square-mile area downtown, starting on June 10. The curfew was in effect nightly from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. and remained in place until June 17.
Chief McDonnell’s recent statement directly addressed the conditions faced by LAPD officers during this period. He described the environment as “dangerous, fluid, and ultimately violent conditions” where officers encountered demonstrators who threw objects, set fires, and refused lawful dispersal orders.
Defense of Officer Actions
In his defense, McDonnell stated that officers were “justified in taking swift and measured action to prevent further harm and restore public safety.” He confirmed the use of less-lethal tools by officers, specifically mentioning “40mm foam rounds and chemical agents,” in their efforts to control the volatile crowds and secure public order.
The chief highlighted the significant danger faced by law enforcement personnel. According to his statement, 52 officers were injured during the protests and required medical treatment. These injuries resulted from officers being targeted with a variety of dangerous objects.
Among the projectiles and weapons used against officers, McDonnell specifically listed:
* “Commercial-grade fireworks that could kill”
* “Bottles, bricks, and projectiles”
* “incendiary devices and Molotov cocktails”
* A “motorcycle that was weaponized and deliberately driven into a police skirmish line”
The chief’s statement underscores the department’s position that the force used was a necessary response to severe threats and violence originating from the protests, despite the underlying community anxieties acknowledged at the outset of his remarks.
The statement released on June 24, 2025, serves as the LAPD’s official account and defense of its operational conduct during one of the most challenging periods of civil unrest the city has experienced in recent years, balancing the acknowledgment of community concerns with a firm stance on maintaining public safety against violent elements.
