U.S. Attorney Warns Against Attacks on ICE Agents in California

Bill Essaylie, the Interim U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California, made it clear on Wednesday that anyone who assaults U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents will face prosecution.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has called for ICE agents to withdraw from her community, echoing earlier sentiments from other Democrats. This comes after some unrest related to an ICE operation in June, which sparked significant backlash. Essaylie, speaking to Grif Jenkins on “Fox and Friends,” indicated that Bass should have worked on changing the laws during her tenure in Congress.

“Let’s be clear about this,” he told Jenkins. “California politicians are showing a clear antagonism toward the federal government. We are here enforcing immigration laws as written by Congress. If Karen Bass disagreed with these laws, she should have acted when she was in Congress.”

He added, “Instead, she seems to be encouraging the public to resist and obstruct our efforts, even to the point of violence. This is why federal agents need protection. We won’t back down because of threats.”

Gunfire has been reported at Border Patrol facilities in McAllen, Texas, and ICE offices in Alvarado, Texas, starting last Friday. “The number of attacks my office has recorded is alarming,” Essaylie remarked. “We’ve been arresting individuals almost daily for assaulting agents and vandalizing property. Over the weekend in Texas, ICE and federal agents faced ambushes.”

He expressed concern about escalating violence, stating, “We had officers shot and a number of arrests made. Their tactics are intensifying but they aren’t effective. My worry is this could lead to injury or worse. Let me be clear: if someone interferes with our agents, they will be arrested, charged, and likely face federal prison time. That’s a guarantee.”