Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., joined in a confrontation of National Guard troops in Los Angeles on Sunday, daring them to shoot protesters during the third day of violent riots against federal immigration enforcement and comparing them to baby killers.
“Why do you have guns? What are you going to do, you going to shoot some kid who’s afraid of you and runs?” Waters was seen yelling at the soldiers.
“You going to shoot an elected official? If you shoot me, you better shoot straight.”
Take a look —
INSANE Dem Rep. Maxine Waters is now verbally harassing our National Guard Members?!
DO DEMS HATE THE TROOPS?! @SpeakerJohnson DO SOMETHING!! pic.twitter.com/kpBvn2apxX
— Graham Allen (@GrahamAllen_1) June 8, 2025
The California Democrat joined anti-ICE protestors on the streets before attempting to storm into the Los Angeles Federal building to check on Service Employees International Union California President David Huerta, who was detained during clashes between rioters and ICE agents.
Waters was turned away at the building entrance despite asserting her “congressional authority.” A guard told her simply, “The lobby is secured to all visitors.”
The confrontation occurred as Los Angeles experienced its third consecutive night of riots following ICE raids that resulted in the arrest of over 100 illegal immigrants across downtown Los Angeles and surrounding suburbs. Many of the arrestees were identified as gang members and drug traffickers, according to federal officials.
Demonstrators responded to the enforcement actions by burning cars, throwing rocks and fireworks at Border Patrol vehicles, waving the flag of Mexico, and spray painting graffiti on federal buildings, and blocking major freeways — including the 101 in downtown LA. Videos and photos on social media showed protesters defacing property with slogans like “KILL ICE.”
President Donald Trump deployed 2,000 National Guard soldiers to quell the violence. The troops used pepper spray and flash bangs to disperse crowds after being hit with thrown objects. They are expected to remain stationed in LA County for up to 60 days.
Tom Homan, Trump’s border czar, said California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass could face federal charges for inciting the riots for political gain.
Homan accused the officials of “fomenting the anti‑ICE riots” and said the Department of Justice “may seek criminal charges” against state or local officials who obstruct federal immigration enforcement. Anyone who “crosses that line” could face felony charges for obstruction, he warned.
Democrats publicly criticized Trump’s National Guard deployment. Mayor Bass called it a “chaotic escalation,” while Gov. Newsom described it as “purposefully inflammatory” and said it would “only escalate tensions.”
“Deploying the National Guard is a dangerous escalation meant to provoke chaos,” Former Vice President Kamala Harris said in a statement. “In addition to the recent ICE raids in Southern California and across our nation, it is part of the Trump Administration’s cruel, calculated agenda to spread panic and division.”
Former LAPD Chief Michael Moore asked for prayers for officers trying to stop the violence.
“To the brave men & women of LAPD/LASD facing chaos on our streets—may God place a hedge of protection around each of you as you protect life and property,” Moore wrote on X. “This violence must be unequivocally denounced by all elected officials, regardless of party.”
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Attorney General Pam Bondi were all directed by the White House to take all necessary actions to end the riots. Trump pledged to restore order, expel illegal immigrants, and “liberate” the city from what he called a “Migrant Invasion.”
Waters later posted her own version of her confrontation with the soldiers on X, claiming she had “pled with the National Guard, which was heavily armed, not to use their weapons against peaceful demonstrators who were simply exercising their rights to freedom of speech and protest.”