Feds ‘tracing money’ behind LA riots in expanding probe

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is “currently tracing money” connected to the recent left-wing riots in Los Angeles in partnership with other agencies, Trump administration officials announced Tuesday.

IRS, FBI and Department of Justice (DOJ) leaders said in a video posted to X that their agencies are working together to investigate financial support for anti-deportation riots that rocked Los Angeles for several days starting June 6. The unrest has led to nearly $20 million in costs for Los Angeles so far and more than 550 arrests on charges such as resisting, obstructing or delaying, attempted murder, looting and vandalism.

United States Attorney Bill Essayli, FBI Assistant Director in Charge Akil Davis, and IRS Special Agent in Charge Tyler Hatcher warn would-be offenders of the consequences of aiding and abetting acts of violence during civil unrest. @USAO_LosAngeles, @IRSCI_LA pic.twitter.com/jf0DGWzjrt

— FBI Los Angeles (@FBILosAngeles) June 17, 2025

“We are currently tracing money to determine who is providing funding for these riots,” IRS Special Agent in Charge Tyler Hatcher said. “Funding crime doesn’t just affect the criminals. It also disrupts entire communities … make no mistake, we will identify and disrupt financial networks supporting these criminal activities.”

DOJ prosecutor Bill Essayli noted the Thursday arrest of a man on charges of conspiracy to commit and aiding and abetting civil disorders for allegedly handing out face shields to rioters. “These violent agitators put peaceful demonstrators at risk,” he said.

Left-wing activists used a coordinated social media campaign to call for protests inLos Angeles on June 6 after the arrest of a union leader who allegedly tried to obstruct Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Daily Caller News Foundation previously reported. Some groups explicitly encouraged protesters to “disrupt and slow ICE incursions” and defend illegal immigrants “by whatever means necessary.”

Fox News’ Bill Melugin also reported that unidentified individuals passed around ear plugs, gas masks and water bottles that they then hurled at police officers.

FBI Director Kash Patel announced on June 9 that his agency “is investigating any and all monetary connections responsible for these riots.”

Outrage against ICE has also sparked rioting and arrests in mostly Democrat-led cities around the country afterLos Angeles.

“Think before you act,” Essayli said, warning that offenders could face fines and imprisonment.

The DOJ, IRS and the FBI’s Los Angeles office did not immediately respond to the DCNF’s requests for comment.

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