JUST IN: DHS Deploys Elite Border Patrol Units To Crush LA Riots

The Department of Homeland Security has deployed elite SWAT units to quell the ongoing insurrection in Los Angeles that erupted on Friday night.

After a second consecutive day of rioting and attacks on federal agents conducting immigration enforcement actions, Border Patrol Chief Michael W. Banks announced that a massive federal response was underway.

“Several arrests have already been made for assault on a federal agent. ANY attack on our agents or officers will not be tolerated,” Banks announced at 2:12 p.m. local time. “You will be arrested and federally prosecuted.”

Fox News border correspondent Bill Melugin reported that elite Border Patrol Tactical (BORTAC) units were responding to the unrest in force. “Elite Border Patrol BORTAC units are on scene in Los Angeles. They are the elite of the elite within DHS. Border Patrol SWAT,” Melugin wrote in an X post.

“They are the ones who rushed and killed the Uvalde school shooter when local police waited around. Not the guys you want to mess with if you’re there.”

“A message to the LA rioters: you will not stop us or slow us down. [ICE] will continue to enforce the law,” said DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. “And if you lay a hand on a law enforcement officer, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

Riots erupted for the second time in under 24 hours when a far-left mob attacked federal agents near a staging area in Paramount, California. Dramatic footage from the scene showed rioters attacking federal agents and hurling projectiles as they geared up for immigration enforcement operations.

Elsewhere in Los Angeles County, rioters blocked a group of federal marshals who were responding to the disturbance in Paramount. Other rioters could be seen hurling rocks at federal vehicles in the city, while at least one vehicle was completely surrounded by a mob of about 15 rioters.

Fox Los Angeles correspondent Matthew Seedorff reported that clashes between rioters and federal agents were ongoing as of 2:34 p.m. local time. Members of the mob — many of whom were flying foreign flags — could be seen burning American flags and starting additional fires as they clashed with Border Patrol agents.

Seedorff’s vehicle was also attacked by rioters, who smashed the windows and spray-painted “F**k ICE” on the side of the car.

Less than 24 hours earlier, rioters attacked federal agents who were conducting arrests of illegal aliens in the city’s fashion district. The mob later surrounded the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building in downtown Los Angeles and proceeded to clash with federal agents.

The Los Angeles Police Department took more than two hours to respond to the siege after they were ordered to stand down by Chief Jim McDonnell and Mayor Karen Bass. The LAPD’s response to Saturday’s riots appears to have been minimal, as evidenced by videos from the scene.

“What took place in Los Angeles yesterday was appalling. As rioters attacked federal ICE and law enforcement officers on the LA streets, Mayor Bass took the side of chaos and lawlessness over law enforcement,” Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons said in a statement.

“Our brave officers were vastly outnumbered, as over 1,000 rioters surrounded and attacked a federal building. It took over two hours for the Los Angeles Police Department to respond, despite being called multiple times. The brave men and women of ICE were in Los Angeles arresting criminal illegal aliens, including gang members, drug trafficker,s and those with a history of assault, cruelty to children, domestic violence, robbery, and smuggling.”

Lyons echoed FBI and DHS leadership in reiterating that arrests are underway, and that anyone who assaulted federal officers will be arrested and prosecuted. “These violent rioters will be held accountable if they harm federal officers, and make no mistake, ICE will continue to enforce our nation’s immigration laws and arrest criminal illegal aliens,” the ICE director continued.

“Sanctuary politicians would do well to remember that impeding our efforts only endangers their communities, law enforcement officers, and the detainees they claim to support.”