JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Florida Governor Ron DeSantis shared his perspective on the recent anti-ICE riots in Los Angeles during a press conference in Jacksonville.
The news conference focused on the theme of “Law and Order,” with DeSantis addressing the riots that erupted in Los Angeles following the arrest of individuals for alleged violations of immigration laws.
DeSantis emphasized the importance of federal law enforcement officers fulfilling their duty to uphold the law, citing their sworn obligation to enforce existing legislation.
The DHS reported over the weekend that over 100 undocumented immigrants — some of whom have violent criminal histories — had been arrested thanks to ICE operations in the city, though rioters began attacking ICE agents, slashing tires, and vandalizing nearby property.
“Our ICE enforcement officers are facing a 413% increase in assaults against them,” a release from the DHS reads. “Disturbingly, in recent days, ICE officers’ family members have been doxed and targeted, as well.”
While not all of the anti-ICE protestors have engaged in violence, DeSantis touched on some instances of stores being looted and cars being burned.
“You come from a foreign country illegally into our country, you burn the American flag in protest of them trying to send you back to the country whose flag you’re waving?” DeSantis stated. “This is such a farce.”
The conflict escalated on Saturday near a Home Depot just south of Los Angeles, with protestors throwing debris like cinder blocks at Border Patrol vehicles as federal agents unleashed tear gas and flash-bang explosives.
Confrontations like these spurred President Donald Trump to deploy 2,000 National Guard troops to the city to maintain order, though Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom claimed that the move would “only escalate tensions.”
DeSantis, a Republican, instead backed Trump’s efforts in Los Angeles while calling out Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass for their responses to the situation.
“California is a sanctuary state, so they think that they can just kind of do this, ignore the law,” DeSantis said. “That doesn’t work. So the Trump administration, what they’ve been doing, they not only have the right to do it; they have a duty to do it.”
From there, DeSantis broached the issue of immigration regulations in Florida, pointing to a special session held earlier this year in which two key laws were approved.
Those new laws massively bolster immigration enforcement in Florida and require the death penalty for undocumented immigrants convicted of a capital felony, among other rules.
“All state and local law enforcement agencies are required to participate with ICE for immigration enforcement,” DeSantis announced. “That’s the only way you’re ever going to do this and do this well.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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