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As anti-ice riots and unrest continue in Los Angeles and many major U.S. cities, a retired FBI agent said serious charges could be filed against those who have wreaked havoc.
Retired FBI agent Jason Pack told Fox News digits that “Federal authorities may describe violence in the protests as ‘family terrorism’ if there is evidence that the person is intended to intimidate the public or influence the government’s decision through force.”
“While federal law defines family terrorism, there are no specific criminal charges for the name,” Pack explained.
A spokesman for the Justice Department told Fox News numbers that at this time “nothing” was.
Tom Cotton promotes new suppression of pro-migration riots in Los Angeles on ice attacks
A protester clashed with protesters in the aftermath of federal immigration operations, waving U.S. Mexican flags, protested on June 7, 2025 near Compton, Los Angeles, California. (Ringo Chiu/AFP via Getty Images)
“As directed by the Attorney General, the Justice Department will charge the most serious and easily proven crimes. In these cases, we carefully follow the evidence and require the strongest sentences allowed by law for these family terrorists without any problem.”
The PACK added that prosecutors will “usually use existing laws to file lawsuits such as arson, assault on federal officials, property destruction or conspiracy.”
“It is important that peaceful protesters who do not violently exercise First Amendment rights are not bound by terrorist investigations or allegations. The term applies only if the crime goes beyond ideologically driven violence,” Pack said.
Parker said that although there is no “specific crime known as family terrorism” in the U.S. law, the government still uses the term to describe certain dangerous behaviors.
“If someone commits a violent crime – such as lifting a fire, attacking a policeman or destroying government property – they do this to scare or promote political beliefs, the FBI can see it as family terrorism,” Pack explained.
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A Justice Department spokesman said there was “nothing without a table” looking at potential allegations of “family terrorists.” (Getty)
John Yoo, former deputy attorney general and law professor at UC Berkeley, responded to the PACK and said the Department of Justice (DOJ) “there are many reasons to accuse people of obstructing federal officials and those who are justified in justice.”
PACK again stressed that this does not apply to peaceful protesters, only “those who commit or plan violence with political motives.”
“While the actual charges come from other criminal laws, the terrorist label could lead to a more serious investigation and a tougher sentence,” Pack said.
Protesters attempted to explode as a fireworks after federal immigration authorities took action during a protest in Compton, California on Saturday, June 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)
However, PACK said “protest-related violence” conducted by anarchists or anti-government beliefs is more likely to be labeled as family terrorism.
“Federal agencies such as federal agencies and Department of Homeland Security believe that anarchist violent extremists are part of the domestic terrorist threat landscape, especially when organizing, politically motivated violence, and targeting law enforcement or government agencies,” Pack said.
“Anarchists planned it even before they came out. They used encrypted messaging apps like signals and telegraphs to coordinate everything: where to meet, what brings. They talked about how to blend, where to watch the police, and how to respond when law enforcement postponed,” Pack continued. ”
PACK said law enforcement analysts blamed the escalating riots on an organized anarchist group of about 60 people who slid into the protesters.
Police detained a man in a protest in Paramount, California on Saturday, June 7, 2025, following action by federal immigration authorities. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)
“They didn't come in March. They came to execute plans that had been in place for years. The slogan wasn't their stuff. They depended on structure. When they went out on the streets, that showed.”
“Many people are late and dressed in black. Then they change clothes quickly so they don't get identified,” he continued. “They know where the cameras are, how to create gaps on the police line and how to trigger a crowd reaction that leads to violence.”
Pack said these specific types of agitators “are hijacking peaceful protests to steal the mission of trust.”
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The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s stance in a protest in Compton, California, after an action by federal immigration authorities on Saturday, June 7, 2025. (Ethan Swope/AP)
“They target places that are highly visible – bridges, courts, highways. They use interference and speed, force police to react and then record that reaction. Their goal is to provoke. Video turns into fuel, spreading quickly on social media to attract more people and keep tensions in place,” Pack said. ”
He also said Pack also mentioned these strategies that worked in the 2020 George Floyd and Antifa Riots, which is why they are using them again now, unless they are getting more and more complicated now.
“They turn public anger into confrontation and then disappear into the smoke to get the community to deal with the damage. Their approach is professional,” Pack said.
“Their motivations are radical and their impact is growing.”
Senator Tom Cotton has proposed two new bills aimed at facing stricter consequences for violent protesters, especially against federal agents or violent protesters illegally in the country.
“Rampages who beat ice officers and participate in violence should face severe consequences,” Cotton said in a statement. “My bill makes it clear that Americans will not tolerate it.” Lawless riots And it is the guardrail of a pro-crime prosecutor who failed to enforce the law. ”
People enthusiastically opposed to family terrorism expressed silence when Tesla torchbearer was accused
The FBI said it will investigate and study any organized efforts created to create chaos in Los Angeles.
Tensions between the thugs and law enforcement were arrested in Los Angeles as cars burned down. Hundreds of people were arrested in Los Angeles.
In an interview with “Claman Countdown” last week, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman warned the violent thugs.
Hockman vowed: “We are because they are using this protest, and other legal protests to commit these violence and crimes. We will blame them and bring them to justice.”
President Trump received pushbacks from several Democratic lawmakers after deploying 700 U.S. Marines to assist police and National Guard in restoring peace in Los Angeles.
White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson told Fox News Digital.
Cotton appeared on Fox News last week, deeming “provocative” not a deployment of federal resources or deportation efforts, but a behavior of protesters.
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“Implementing federal laws is not provocative. Doing Trump's presidential campaign is not provocative,” he said.
“What is provocative is to get all these illegal foreigners on fire while waving foreign flags, now joined by professional agitators of Antifa and Pro-Hamas sympathizers.”
Fox News Digital commented on the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office.
Morgan Phillips of Fox News Digital contributed to the report.
Stepheny Price is a writer at Fox News Digital and Fox Business. She covers topics including missing persons, homicides, state crime cases, illegal immigration and more. Story tips and ideas can be sent to stepheny.price@fox.com
