President Trump announced Friday that he’s granting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents “Total Authorization” to arrest violent protesters following a chaotic California cannabis farm raid that resulted in rocks being hurled at federal law enforcement vehicles.
“I am on my way back from Texas, and watched in disbelief as THUGS were violently throwing rocks and bricks at ICE Officers while they were moving down a roadway in their car and/or official vehicle,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“Tremendous damage was done to these brand new vehicles,” the president continued. “I know for a fact that these Officers are having a hard time with allowing this to happen in that it shows such total disrespect for LAW AND ORDER.”
“Therefore, I am directing Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, and Border Czar, Tom Homan, to instruct all ICE, Homeland Security, or any other Law Enforcement Officer who is on the receiving end of thrown rocks, bricks, or any other form of assault, to stop their car, and arrest these SLIMEBALLS, using whatever means is necessary to do so.”
Federal agents were met by dozens of protesters Thursday when they swarmed Glass House Farms in rural Camarillo, Calif., to conduct an immigration enforcement operation.
The angry mob attempted to block a road between farm fields and several agitators appeared to be hurling rocks at the officers, who used canisters with an unknown substance and fired less-than-lethal rounds in an effort to get the crowd to retreat, according to ABC 7.
One man among the crowd of protesters appeared to fire a gun at advancing agents. The FBI is offering a reward up to $50,000 for information leading to the apparent shooter’s conviction.
Officers speeding away from the scene in SUVs and vans were also pelted with several large rocks, video posted on social media showed.
“I am giving Total Authorization for ICE to protect itself, just like they protect the Public,” Trump said. “I never want to see a car carrying a Law Enforcement Officer attacked again!”
“AUTHORIZATION IMMEDIATELY GRANTED FOR ARREST AND INCARCERATION. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
Trump deployed troops from the California National Guard and US Marines to Los Angeles last month in an effort to protect ICE and DHS agents carrying out immigration raids after chaos similar to what was seen in Camarillo broke out after an enforcement operation in the City of Angels.
An appeals court has allowed the troops to remain in Los Angeles under Trump’s authority pending the outcome of a trial in August that would determine if the president’s deployment of the Marines and Guardsmen is legal.
A migrant farm worker, who climbed onto the roof of a green house and then fell 30 feet, died during Thursday’s pot farm raid.
Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said the worker wasn’t being pursued by federal authorities when he got onto the roof and plunged to his death.
Several other farm workers also suffered critical injuries during the raid, which resulted in the arrest of about 200 migrants suspected of being in the country illegally.
