SEIU President Becomes New Face of Resistance Against L.A. ICE Raid

Kilmar Abrego Garcia, known as the “Maryland Dad” illegal immigrant, is accused of being a member of the MS-13 gang, engaging in human trafficking, and domestic violence. Despite facing human trafficking charges in the United States, Democratic lawmakers advocated for and ensured his safe return to the country, although not in the manner they anticipated.

Dubbed as “St. Kilmar,” Garcia’s reputation has been tarnished due to his alleged involvement in criminal activities. However, Democrats have swiftly shifted their support to David Huerta, the President of the California Chapter of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). In a recent incident in Los Angeles, Huerta intervened in a lawful ICE raid at a worksite, placing himself in harm’s way to provoke a confrontation with authorities.

During the attempted intervention, David Huerta sustained injuries and was reportedly tased by law enforcement officials. The significance of this incident was highlighted by Representative Gil Cisneros, shedding light on the risks taken by Huerta in opposing the ICE operation.

The arrest happened as hundreds of protesters rallied in downtown Los Angeles late Friday afternoon, condemning the ICE immigration raids that took place at three different locations across L.A. earlier in the day.

At some point, there was a scuffle involving federal agents and it appeared Huerta was pushed down and hit his head. One video shows a federal agent pushing Huerta while he has his hands at his hips, after which, he falls to the ground.

Typical of legacy media reporting, they left out some key facts. U.S. District Attorney for Los Angeles, Bill Essayli gave a clarifying statement on X.

David Huerta deliberately obstructed their access by blocking their vehicle. He was arrested for interfering with federal officers and will face arraignment in federal court on Monday. Let me be clear: I don’t care who you are—if you impede federal agents, you will be arrested and prosecuted. No one has the right to assault, obstruct, or interfere with federal authorities carrying out their duties.

SEIU immediately put out a statement that read in part, “David Huerta, President of SEIU California and SEIU-United Service Workers West was injured and detained at an ICE raid in Los Angeles today while exercising his First Amendment right to observe and document law enforcement activity.”

There are many videos circulating which leave open to interpretation what part of Huerta’s actions involved observing and documenting.

WATCH:

WATCH:

Huerta was hospitalized and treated for his “bad shoulder” then released from the hospital into the waiting arms of federal law enforcement. As U.S. Attorney Essayli stated above, Huerta has been detained and will be arraigned on federal charges on Monday. This is FAFO on steroids and what a majority of Americans voted for. 

But California has its newest poster boy for Trump resistance, and they are running with it. After all, Huerta is an American citizen, a Los Angeles native, and a fighter for the rights of workers. They learned a little lesson and decided to at least champion someone who’s an actual citizen. Consider it progress for the progressives – what a concept.

But the bat signal went up, and the California Democrats have circled the wagons. X posts followed, with elected officials, union officials, and city and state leaders condemning ICE’s actions, while running with the narrative that Huerta was “tased” and injured for exercising his First Amendment rights and “peaceably observing,” ICE activity.

Gov. Gavin “Hair Gel” Newsom, fresh off honoring the obscure Muslim holiday, Eid al-Adha (but ignoring D-Day), while claiming that he will withhold California taxpayer money from the federal government if Trump doesn’t stop being mean to him, took the time out from his busy schedule to fluff Huerta as a “respected leader” and “patriot.”

U.S. Senator Alex Padilla, Congressman Ted Lieu, and Congressman Mark Takano got the memo and ran with it, posting accordingly. On brand for Lieu: he immediately called for ICE to be investigated.

Rep. Linda Sanchez even went so far as to claim this “attack” on Huerta was an attack on all immigrants and workers.

Even titular party head Nancy Pelosi took time out from rehabbing her hip to weigh in, demanding Huerta be released.

The president of SEIU California was exercising his first amendment right to witness law enforcement activity. For being a patriotic American, David Huerta was arrested by ICE and hurt and is now receiving care while in custody. No matter who this happened to, it is outrageous.  He must be immediately released from custody and receive proper care. -NP

This is all about theater, with little to do with reality. As my colleague Nick Arama detailed overnight Friday and on Saturday morning, the theater is growing increasing violent, and they are ramping up, all toward one aim: Trump must be stopped and all means of resistance are on the table. Expect the summer of 2020 all over again. Arama wrote:

We’ve seen craziness like this before, including in Minneapolis and in New York City. It’s getting out of hand, and the Democrats are ratcheting it up. 

In the meantime, SEIU has threatened the federal government with the full force of its membership and mounting their campaign to Free David Huerta, writing:

Let’s be clear: ICE injured and detained the president of SEIU California for peacefully observing. ICE picked the wrong side. The wrong state. The wrong person. and the wrong union.  David Huerta stood up. And 750,000 SEIU workers are standing with him.

We will see how much mileage the Democrats get out of their new patron saint leading the latest arm of Trump Resistance.