Incident details
- Date of incident
- June 12, 2025
- Location
- Los Angeles, California
- Targets
- Anna Moltke (Independent)
- Assailant
- Law enforcement
- Was the journalist targeted?
- Yes
Assault
Law enforcement at an immigration protest in Los Angeles, California, on June 12, 2025. Photographer Anna Moltke was shoved to the ground by a federal officer while covering the demonstration.
Independent photographer Anna Moltke was pushed to the ground by a federal officer while documenting a protest against immigration raids in Los Angeles, California, on June 12, 2025.
The demonstration was one of several that began June 6 in response to federal raids in and around LA of workplaces and areas where immigrant day laborers gathered, amid the Trump administration’s larger immigration crackdown.
Moltke told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker that she was trying to run away from the crowd that was being dispersed outside the Metropolitan Detention Center, where immigrants were being held. She turned to look behind her when a masked officer in camouflage shoved her.
“I fell and my hands hit the ground,” said Moltke, who was also affected by chemical irritants deployed that day. “Both of my wrists were injured, and my whole right arm was sore for about a week or two.”
She said she did not know which agency the officer represented but noted that federal agents were wearing camouflage that day.
“It was very clear that I was press,” Moltke said, adding that they “knew very well” that she was a member of the media.
In a statement emailed to the Tracker in June, Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin urged journalists to be cautious while covering what she characterized as “violent riots,” and added, “President Trump and Secretary Noem are committed to restoring law and order in Los Angeles.”
The U.S. Press Freedom Tracker catalogs press freedom violations in the United States. Email tips to [email protected].
