DHS Confirms Predator Drones Fly Over LA Protests
DHS Confirms Predator Drones Fly Over LA Protests originally appeared on L.A. Mag.
Overhead footage from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) seems to suggest that domestic predator drones are being used to show the rest of the world what's going on in L.A. The last time drones like these were used for public consumption was for the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020, following the killing of George Floyd.DHS posted its high-altitude surveillance on X, seemingly confirming the footage was gathered by an MQ-9 from CBP Air and Marine Operations, known colloquially as a predator drone.
The video showed vehicles on fire, windows being smashed and what appeared to be some kind of a firecracker shot off by a protester from a corner of the street in Downtown L.A. It didn't look like anyone was hit.'This is not calm. This is not peaceful,' the DHS wrote. 'California politicians must call off their rioting mob.'An aviation tracking enthusiast from 404 Media confirmed it was an MQ-9 that captured the moments shown in the viral video, which now has about 350,000 views on X.'This is anarchy & insurrection,' one verified X user wrote.Another jabbed back at DHS' caption, writing, 'Oh so now it's the politicians directing the mob…y'all are laughable.'The city is still in a state of 'local emergency,' according to Mayor Bass, who issued a curfew on Tuesday. Hundreds were arrested that night, with charges ranging from failure to disperse and illegal possession of a firearm.
This story was originally reported by L.A. Mag on Jun 12, 2025, where it first appeared.
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