A Los Angeles news anchor described anti-ICE riots as “just a bunch of people having fun watching cars burn,” prompting outrage over media coverage that downplayed widespread violence and destruction in the city.
Key Facts:
- ABC7 Los Angeles anchor Jory Rand said protestors were “just having fun watching cars burn.”
- Riots broke out in downtown Los Angeles over ICE raids, with vehicles torched and police attacked.
- Reporter Tim Caputo pushed back on the term “riot” and blamed police presence for provoking violence.
- Three cars were visibly burning during live coverage, but reporters claimed things looked “relatively calm.”
- President Trump deployed 2,000 National Guard troops to LA; Governor Newsom and Mayor Bass opposed the move.
The Rest of The Story:
Riots erupted in downtown Los Angeles following ICE enforcement actions.
Demonstrators set cars on fire, hurled objects from a freeway overpass, and smashed LAPD headquarters windows.
Amidst the escalating violence, ABC7’s Jory Rand downplayed the mayhem during a live broadcast.
“It could turn very volatile… and turn what is just a bunch of people having fun watching cars burn into a massive confrontation,” Rand warned.
Caputo also suggested that police were to blame for escalating tensions, claiming their mere presence “provoked” the crowd.
Despite multiple vehicle fires and explosions, Caputo insisted the violence came from “a couple of people” and that most were simply “taking videos” and “walking around.”
As flames rose behind them, the reporters attempted to relocate, with Rand stating things “look relatively peaceful” except for the burning cars.
I cannot believe this is real.
ABC reporter says not to bring in law enforcement to the LA riots because “it’s just a bunch of people having fun watching cars burn.”pic.twitter.com/OlgBo4Pj1I
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) June 9, 2025
Commentary:
This is not journalism—it’s partisan cheerleading for destruction.
When cars are exploding and officers are under attack, it is not “a bunch of people having fun.”
It’s a riot, plain and simple.
The mental gymnastics required to describe a chaotic, lawless scene as “relatively calm” just because some in the crowd are filming it is an embarrassment to the profession of reporting.
The idea that watching cars burn qualifies as entertainment rather than an act of aggression should be disqualifying for any serious journalist.
There’s no such thing as “peaceful arson.”
When you show up to a protest and stand around while others commit felonies, you’re not a peaceful observer—you’re part of the problem.
What’s worse is the subtle accusation that police are to blame simply for showing up to do their jobs.
Caputo claimed that officers provoke violence just by being there, as if law enforcement shouldn’t respond to mobs setting fires and smashing property.
That line of thinking emboldens criminals and handcuffs officers tasked with restoring order.
These aren’t just passionate citizens trying to be heard.
They are agitators, and they’re being enabled by a media that is more interested in spin than truth.
Rand and Caputo excused the chaos as “hoopla” and portrayed it as a few bad apples ruining the vibe—while conveniently ignoring the risk posed to law enforcement and the public.
The media’s failure to clearly label this as a riot—and instead lecture police on restraint—exposes their double standard.
If this scene played out under any other circumstances, with different political motivations, the coverage would look very different.
The fact that Rand still has a job after calling a riot “fun” is disgraceful.
The Bottom Line:
The media downplayed violent anti-ICE riots in Los Angeles, calling them “fun” and “relatively peaceful,” even as cars burned and chaos unfolded.
This wasn’t peaceful protest—it was destruction.
The reporters’ commentary reflects an alarming trend: excusing lawlessness when it aligns with a political narrative.
America deserves better from its press.
Read Next
– Texas Just Took Away A Major Perk Illegal Aliens Have Been Enjoying For Decades
– New Poll Shows Exactly What The American People Think Of Trump’s Deportation Program
– Crazed Dem Ripped For Insane Video Message Demanding ICE Leave Los Angeles Immediately
– Maxine Waters Spills the Beans, Demands LA Rioters Be Given Citizenship
– California Governor Newsom to Sue Trump Admin To Halt Deployment of National Guard in Los Angeles