Trump ordered FBI to probe LA anti-ICE protesters after watching TikTok video, whistleblower alleges
From the Newshound archive · first published 7 October 2026 · last updated 8 October 2026.
Donald Trump and Kash Patel, whom a whistleblower alleges told FBI leaders Trump "was angry" and wanted anti-ICE protesters in Los Angeles "investigated and arrested.
Former FBI supervisory intelligence analyst Jill Fields has filed a whistleblower complaint alleging Trump personally demanded an investigation into Los Angeles protesters after watching a TikTok video of demonstrators warning residents about immigration enforcement. Kash Patel reportedly told senior FBI leaders that Trump "was angry about the incident, and he wanted those protesters investigated and arrested." The White House has called the allegations "false."
According to Fields, Emil Bove — at the time acting deputy attorney general — separately instructed the FBI's LA field office to open investigations into protests outside federal buildings that analysts considered constitutionally protected speech.
A colleague informed Fields the investigation would proceed despite legal reservations because "the president wants this investigation" — and the FBI reportedly put together a dedicated 10-agent immigration squad, pulling officers from active cartel cases.
Democratic Senator Alex Padilla, who forwarded the complaint to Attorney General Todd Blanche and FBI Director Patel, said analysts "found no evidence these protesters committed a crime or posed a threat."
