CALIFORNIA—On June 19, Jake Johnson from the California Association of Highway Patrolman (CAHP) publicly requested police assistance for the overworked, short-staffed California Highway Patrol (CHP).

In an interview, Johnson first told Fox Digital, “I’ve been around for a very long time, and I have seen similar to what we are facing now. But I have never seen the amount of onslaught.”

As Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents entered Los Angeles County to execute search warrants, protesters (some of whom are paid protesters) descended upon the sanctuary city.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta, Governor Gavin Newsom, and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass relay a different picture with peaceful protests. These protests are anything but peaceful. They have included massive assaults on CHP officers, taking over freeways, throwing rocks, and catching police cars on fire. Some have complained that CHP officers are armed with rubber bullets, but none of those issuing complaints have experienced their feat.

On June 11, major traffic disruptions were reported after the California Highway Patrol announced extensive ramp closures on U.S. 101 and I-10 Freeways in response to anti-ICE raids. Protesters brought traffic to a standstill as they blocked lanes on the ramps of 101 Freeway.

On June 9, thousands of protesters took over 101 Freeway. They were waving Mexican flags, and shouting, “Viva la Raza,” (Long Live the People).

The following came directly from the California Highway Patrol:

“On Sunday, June 8, 2025, CHP personnel responded to calls of protesters entering and impeding US-101 in downtown Los Angeles. CHP Special Response Team (SRT) officers immediately responded to the location to clear over 1,000 protesters from traffic lanes.”

At this time, an individual, later identified as Adam Palermo, was seen throwing numerous rocks at responding CHP officers and patrol vehicles from an overcrossing.

After throwing the rocks, Palermo lit an object on fire and dropped it onto a CHP patrol vehicle. The object landed on the CHP patrol vehicle, causing the patrol vehicle to catch fire. To extinguish the fire, CHP SRT officers had to put themselves in danger from thrown rocks, and bottles.

After the incident, CHP detectives from the Southern Division Major Crimes Unit were assigned to the case. With assistance from the public, the detectives identified Palermo as the suspect.

This morning, CHP detectives arrested Palermo outside of his residence in Los Angeles for assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer. After the arrest, detectives searched Palermo’s residence and located evidence of the crime.”

CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee issued the following statement:

“The California Highway Patrol will not tolerate attacks against our officers under any circumstances. Our personnel put themselves in harm’s way to protect the public, and anyone who targets them with violence will be identified, pursued, and held fully accountable under the law.”

This case is still under investigation and will be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office for consideration of charges including, but not limited to; assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer, arson, and vandalism.