DHS Flew Predator Drones Over Los Angeles Protests

404 Media reports:

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) flew two high-powered Predator surveillance drones above the anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles over the weekend, according to air traffic control (ATC) audio unearthed by an aviation tracking enthusiast then reviewed by 404 Media and cross-referenced with flight data.

The use of Predator drones highlights the extraordinary resources government agencies are putting behind surveilling and responding to the Los Angeles protests, which started after ICE agents raided a Home Depot on Friday. President Trump has since called up 4,000 members of the National Guard, and on Monday ordered more than 700 active duty Marines to the city too.

“TROY703, traffic 12 o’clock, 8 miles, opposite direction, another ‘TROY’ Q-9 at FL230,” one part of the ATC audio says. The official name of these types of Predator B drones, made by a company called General Atomics, is the MQ-9 Reaper.

Read the full article.

I believe this is the first mention in the media of the MQ-9 Reaper drones that surveilled the protests in Los Angeles. Nice scoop by 404 Media. https://t.co/6EViPppEof

— John Wiseman (@lemonodor) June 10, 2025

Incomplete (MLAT) tracks show two DHS Predator B drones (MQ-9), confirmed by @aeroscouting, plus one unidentified aircraft circling over LA protests between June 8-9. Aircraft were between 22-24k feet. pic.twitter.com/9b69qrk85v

— Jason Paladino (@jason_paladino) June 9, 2025

“This is a chilling statement.”

An LAPD helicopter claimed cops identified protesters from above and would “come to your house.” https://t.co/fH9lH3H1hh

— Mother Jones (@MotherJones) June 9, 2025