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Trump administration sues Los Angeles over sanctuary laws after anti-ICE riot

Trump administration sues Los Angeles over sanctuary laws after anti-ICE riot

The Trump administration sued Los Angeles, its mayor and other top city officials Monday, claiming its sanctuary policy toward illegal migrants discriminates against federal law enforcement.

The suit names embattled Mayor Karen Bass and the entire LA City Council, including its president, Marqueece Harris-Dawson, as defendants, claiming the city’s policies thwart immigration authorities from enforcing federal law.

“Sanctuary City laws and policies are designed to deliberately impede federal immigration officers’ ability to carry out their responsibilities in those jurisdictions,” the lawsuit reads in part.

Anti-ICE protests in downtown Los Angeles. Toby Canham for NY Post
Customs and Border Protection officers pummel a man to the ground during an arrest at the Edward R. Roybal Center and Federal Building in downtown Los Angeles, June 10, 2025. Barbara Davidson/NYPost

“The Los Angeles Ordinance and other policies intentionally discriminate against the Federal Government by treating federal immigration authorities differently.”

US Attorney General Pam Bondi blasted Tinseltown in a statement.

“Sanctuary policies were the driving cause of the violence, chaos, and attacks on law enforcement that Americans recently witnessed in Los Angeles,” she said.

Anti-ICE protesters gather in downtown Los Angeles. Toby Canham for NY Post
The National Guard was deployed after anti-ICE protesters set vehicles on fire. Toby Canham for NY Post

“Jurisdictions like Los Angeles that flout federal law by prioritizing illegal aliens over American citizens are undermining law enforcement at every level — it ends under President Trump.”

The suit follows violent anti-ICE protests across downtown Los Angeles earlier this month, in which rioters attacked immigration authorities, burned cars in the streets, and vandalized and looted local businesses.