CNN Reporter Detained by Police in Los Angeles During Live Broadcast
A CNN journalist was detained by police in Los Angeles as he reported on the riots live on air, leading to confusion in the studio. Jason Carroll, a national correspondent for CNN, was led with his hands behind his back outside a perimeter officers had created and told he was not allowed to return to the area, broadcast footage showed.
According to Newsweek, Carroll later detailed what had happened. He said he was not placed under arrest and his hands were not tied. He was asked to give some details. The incident occurred as police were in the process of containing and arresting dozens of protesters in the area who had defied an order to disperse.
Carroll said he had been reporting from the streets all day before he was detained by police. Speaking to CNN after the incident, he said he had walked up to an officer and explained who he was and who he was with before he was stopped. "They did not put me in zip ties, but they did grab both my hands as I was escorted over to the side, they said, ‘you are being detained,’" he said. "It is something that I wasn’t expecting simply because we’ve been out here all day, we have covered any number of protests and normally the officers realise the press is there doing a job," he continued.
The incident was not isolated, as journalists from other news outlets also faced difficulties while reporting on the protests. An Australian journalist for 9News, Lauren Tomasi, was struck with a rubber bullet on Sunday. "Lauren Tomasi was struck by a rubber bullet," 9News said in a statement. "Lauren and her camera operator are safe and will continue their essential work covering these events. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the inherent dangers journalists can face while reporting from the frontlines of protests, underscoring the importance of their role in providing vital information."
Similarly, British news photographer Nick Stern said that he had to undergo emergency surgery after a plastic bullet hit his thigh. "I was out there wearing a press card around my neck, a big camera around my neck as well," he told the BBC.
The protests in Los Angeles against immigration enforcement began on Friday and continued for a fourth night on Monday, with some isolated incidents of violence and looting. In response, President Donald Trump first announced the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops to restore order, without California Governor Gavin Newsom’s consent, and on Monday said 2,000 more guardsmen would be deployed as well as active-duty U.S. Marines.
Los Angeles County enforces sanctuary policies, with local law enforcement declining to participate in federal civil immigration actions. President Trump ordered active-duty Marines and 2,000 more National Guard troops into Los Angeles on Monday, vowing to "hit harder" against anti-ICE demonstrators. Governor Newsom is suing the Trump administration, calling for federal troops to leave L.A.
As the situation continues to unfold, journalists will be closely monitoring the developments and providing updates. According to Newsweek, President Trump wrote on Truth Social on Saturday night: "If Governor Gavin Newscum, of California, and Mayor Karen Bass, of Los Angeles, can’t do their jobs, which everyone knows they can’t, then the Federal Government will step in and solve the problem, RIOTS & LOOTERS, the way it should be solved!!!"
In response, California Governor Gavin Newsom wrote on X, formerly Twitter: "U.S. Marines serve a valuable purpose for this country — defending democracy. They are not political pawns. The Secretary of Defense is illegally deploying them onto American streets so Trump can have a talking point at his parade this weekend. It’s a blatant abuse of power. We will sue to stop this. The Courts and Congress must act. Checks and balances are crumbling. This is a red line — and they’re crossing it. WAKE UP!"
The situation in Los Angeles remains volatile, with concerns about the deployment of federal troops and the impact on the local community. As the story continues to develop, Newsweek will provide updates and analysis.
