LOS ANGELES — Following several days of intense protests over immigration raids, U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli has announced multiple federal charges against individuals involved in violent attacks against law enforcement and federal personnel. His strong statement — “If you spit, we hit — and we will hit you with a felony” — has gone viral, signaling a zero-tolerance approach to violence during demonstrations.

The protests, which began as peaceful opposition to ICE operations across Southern California, escalated into full-blown confrontations by June 8th, with demonstrators throwing rocks, lighting police vehicles on fire, and attacking officers on the 101 Freeway.

🔥 Arson and Assault Lead to Felony Charges

At the center of the crackdown is Adam Charles Palermo, who was captured on video participating in the attempted arson of a California Highway Patrol (CHP) vehicle. According to Essayli, Palermo’s social media showed images of the burning vehicle with a chilling caption:

“All of the protests I’ve been involved in — well over a hundred now — I’m most proud of what I did today.”

He now faces charges under 18 U.S. Code § 844(i) — attempted arson of a vehicle used in interstate or foreign commerce. If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum of 5 years and up to 20 years in federal prison.

“This is not activism,” Essayli said. “This is domestic criminal violence, and we will prosecute it as such.”

🧼 “Spit On a Soldier — Go to Jail”

In a separate but equally charged incident, federal authorities arrested Angus Johnson, accused of spitting on a National Guardsman and multiple federal police officers outside the federal building on Los Angeles Street.

The event occurred while military and law enforcement personnel were deployed to protect public property amid ongoing unrest. Johnson allegedly confronted the serviceman, verbally heckled him, and spat on his face — before turning to nearby officers and repeating the act.

Now charged with assaulting a federal officer under 18 U.S. Code § 111, Johnson could face up to 8 years in prison.

“As our president said — if you spit, we hit,” Essayli repeated firmly. “That’s not rhetoric. That’s policy.”

👮 Law Enforcement Under Siege

According to Essayli, these incidents are not isolated. The violence during the protests, particularly on June 8th, showed a disturbing trend of coordinated aggression against law enforcement.

“You saw it — rocks, explosives, and firebombs rained down from overpasses on our highway patrol,” he said. “Our officers were violently and viciously attacked simply for doing their job.”

The Department of Justice and federal task forces are currently reviewing additional footage and social media content to identify other perpetrators, with more arrests expected in the coming days.

⚖️ Protest vs. Crime: Drawing the Line

While officials acknowledge the constitutional right to protest, Essayli emphasized the difference between peaceful demonstration and criminal conduct.

“We are not criminalizing free speech. We are criminalizing felonies — attempted arson, assault on officers, and destruction of federal property,” he stated.

This hardline stance has sparked debate among civil liberties groups, who warn that aggressive prosecutions could have a chilling effect on lawful protests. But Essayli remained resolute.

“You do not get to torch police vehicles or spit on soldiers under the cover of a protest. That’s not America — and we’re not tolerating it.”

🇺🇸 A Divided City Watches

As Downtown Los Angeles remains on edge, city officials and federal authorities are calling for calm, while community leaders attempt to navigate the balance between civil disobedience and law and order.

For many, these charges are a stark reminder of the growing tensions between federal immigration enforcement and grassroots movements calling for reform.