• Stephen Miller calls LA anti-ICE protests an "insurrection".
• Protests erupted over recent immigration raids leading to arrests.
• Local officials express outrage over ICE enforcement tactics.
• Homeland Security cites increased violence against law enforcement as a concern.
• California Democrats criticize the legality of the arrests and ICE operations.

Protests erupted in downtown Los Angeles over Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids, which led to the arrest of at least 44 people on immigration violations. Senior White House aide Stephen Miller condemned the demonstrations, characterizing them as an "insurrection against the laws and sovereignty of the United States," specifically referencing incidents where protesters allegedly assaulted ICE enforcement officers and defaced property, according to Reuters, HuffPost, and The Hill.

The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) reported that their role was to maintain public order during the protests, which were marked by confrontations between helmeted officers and demonstrators. While LAPD stated it had not made any arrests related to the protests, the Department of Homeland Security described the protests as a violent response to lawful immigration operations, highlighting an uptick in assaults against law enforcement, as reported by Reuters and HuffPost.

In reaction to escalating tensions, Homeland Security officials stated that protests against ICE activities could hinder their operations. Miller reinforced this sentiment in subsequent posts, emphasizing the government's commitment to enforcing immigration laws and warning protesters against attacking law enforcement, according to The Hill. Meanwhile, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass condemned the immigration enforcement tactics, calling them terrifying and a disruption of community safety.

California Democrats joined the condemnation of the raids, labeling the arrests as illegal and an abuse of power. They expressed concerns over the conditions of detainees and stressed the need for transparency regarding ICE operations, according to Reuters and The Hill.