Major firm Penske Truck Rental issued a statement Wednesday warning Trump’s Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that it would reach out over the “improper use” of one of its vehicles.
DHS made multiple arrests in Los Angeles on Wednesday near the city’s MacArthur Park, according to Fox LA. Video footage, which circulated online, showed agents bursting from the back of a Penske moving truck before running toward a group of people near a sidewalk food stand, the outlet reported. (RELATED: Feds Arrest ‘Dangerous Sinaloa Cartel Leader’ At Southern Border)
In response to videos and photos showing the DHS-used truck bearing Penske’s branding, the company issued a statement online calling out the move.
“Penske Truck Rental is aware of recent reports and videos regarding a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) operation in Los Angeles. Penske strictly prohibits the transportation of people in the cargo area of its vehicles under any circumstances,” the statement reads.
“The company was not made aware that its trucks would be used in today’s operation and did not authorize this,” the statement continued. “Penske will reach out to DHS and reinforce its policy to avoid improper use of its vehicles in the future.”
Construction materials are loaded into a pickup truck outside of a Home Depot store on Wilshire Blvd (Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)
DHS officials told Fox LA that the MS-13 gang has had a “chokehold” on the area, which was why agents went in to carry out the operation. According to the outlet, 16 undocumented migrants from Guatemala, Mexico, Honduras and Nicaragua were confirmed to be detained.
In an online response to the circulating video, Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli commented on X, saying that federal law being enforced is “not negotiable.”
“For those who thought immigration enforcement had stopped in Southern California, think again. The enforcement of federal law is not negotiable, and there are no sanctuaries from the reach of the federal government,” Essayli wrote.
The move from the department comes after downtown Los Angeles faced anti-U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) riots and protests in June. With the area hit by widespread vandalism, looting and burning cars, the city has since racked up millions in damages.
The DHS did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.
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