CNN Reporter Detained by Riot Police in Los Angeles: A Live TV Ordeal That Shook the Nation

In a heart-stopping moment broadcast live to millions, CNN national correspondent Jason Carroll was detained by riot police in Los Angeles on June 10, 2025, while covering violent protests against President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement policies. The chaos escalated when two security personnel from CNN were also arrested, all unfolding on live television, leaving viewers and anchors stunned. Carroll’s detention, followed by his swift release and defiant return to reporting, has sparked a national uproar, raising urgent questions about press freedom, police conduct, and the volatile intersection of journalism and political unrest. This article explores the incident, its context, Carroll’s experience, the broader wave of anti-immigrant riots, and the implications for a deeply divided America.

The Incident: A Reporter Caught in the Crossfire

The dramatic scene unfolded just after midnight on June 10, 2025, in downtown Los Angeles, where protests against Trump’s sweeping immigration raids had spiraled into riots for a fourth consecutive night. Jason Carroll, a seasoned CNN correspondent, was reporting live from a protest zone near the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) headquarters, where demonstrators had clashed with law enforcement, torching cars and looting businesses. As Carroll described the chaotic scene, riot police moved to enforce a curfew, dispersing protesters and creating a secure perimeter.

Suddenly, viewers watched as officers approached Carroll, who was clearly identifiable as a journalist with his CNN credentials visible. “I am being detained, Laura,” Carroll said calmly to anchor Laura Coates, who was visibly shaken in the studio. “I am not being arrested, correct?” he asked an officer, who instructed him to put his hands behind his back. Broadcast footage showed Carroll being led away, hands behind his back, while two CNN security personnel were also detained, one officer stating, “Get your whole crew, we’re going to take them all out.” The police warned Carroll that returning to the area would result in arrest.

The detention was brief—Carroll and his crew were released within minutes without charges—but the live broadcast captured the confusion and intensity. Coates, struggling to process the scene, interrupted CNN analyst John Miller, exclaiming, “Wait one second, John. Hold on. I want to get Jason. What’s going on? What am I seeing?” A New York Times reporter, Chris, approached Carroll post-release, offering video footage of the incident, underscoring the camaraderie among journalists in such high-risk settings.

The moment went viral on X, with posts decrying the detention as an attack on press freedom. Hashtags like #FreeJasonCarroll and #ProtectThePress trended, while some users speculated about political motives, citing Trump’s influence over the National Guard’s presence in L.A. Others defended the police, arguing that curfew enforcement justified the action. The incident, amplified by social media, became a lightning rod for debates about journalism and law enforcement in a time of crisis.

Jason Carroll: A Veteran in the Line of Fire

Jason Carroll, a Los Angeles native, has been a CNN national correspondent for over a decade, covering everything from natural disasters to social justice movements. His deep ties to California made his assignment to the L.A. riots personal, as he navigated the streets of his hometown to report on a city in turmoil. Carroll’s professionalism shone through during the detention, as he calmly identified himself to officers and explained his role, even as he was escorted away. His prior experience covering protests, including the 2020 George Floyd demonstrations, prepared him for high-pressure situations, but he later admitted the detention was unexpected.

Speaking to CNN after his release, Carroll clarified that he was not placed in zip ties, though officers grabbed his hands to escort him out of the protest zone. “It is something that I wasn’t expecting simply because we’ve been out here all day,” he said. “Normally, the officers realize the press is there doing a job.” He emphasized the brevity of the detention, noting that police were “cordial” post-incident, but the experience underscored the risks journalists face. Carroll’s return to reporting mere hours later, standing in front of a police line with smoke rising in the distance, demonstrated his resilience and commitment to the story.

Carroll’s detention was not an isolated case. The Los Angeles Press Club documented at least 24 instances of journalists being targeted by law enforcement during the June 6–8 protests, including shootings with less-than-lethal munitions. Reporters like Nick Stern, who required emergency surgery after a plastic bullet hit his thigh, and Lexis Olivier-Ray of L.A. Taco, who was pepper-balled, faced similar dangers. Carroll’s high-profile detention, however, brought renewed attention to these risks, with press advocacy groups like Reporters Without Borders noting 35 attacks on journalists since the riots began.

The Context: Los Angeles in Chaos

The L.A. riots were sparked by Trump’s immigration raids, which intensified in early June 2025, targeting undocumented immigrants across California. Protests erupted on June 6, escalating into violence by June 7 when a separate attack, allegedly by an undocumented immigrant, killed several people in downtown L.A. The incident fueled Trump’s narrative of “criminal illegals,” prompting him to deploy 2,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines to the city, a move California Governor Gavin Newsom called “unlawful” in a lawsuit against the administration.

By June 10, the protests had turned chaotic, with looters targeting businesses and demonstrators clashing with police, who fired tear gas and non-lethal projectiles. At least 74 people were arrested over the weekend, and the LAPD, criticized for being understaffed, struggled to maintain order. Trump’s rhetoric, including a Truth Social post vowing to “solve the problem” of “riots & looters,” and his support for border czar Tom Homan’s threat to arrest Newsom, inflamed tensions further. Protesters, enraged by the military presence and immigration policies, set up barricades and burned autonomous vehicles, believing them linked to ICE surveillance.

Carroll’s detention occurred as police enforced a downtown curfew, clearing protesters and media from the area. The LAPD’s actions, while aimed at restoring order, drew criticism for targeting journalists, who are constitutionally protected under the First Amendment to report on public events. The incident echoed past cases, such as the 2020 arrest of CNN reporter Omar Jimenez in Minneapolis during George Floyd protests, where police detained journalists despite clear identification.

Carroll’s Response: Resilience and Resolve

Carroll’s post-detention response was a testament to his professionalism. After his release, he rejoined CNN’s coverage, reporting from a safer vantage point but refusing to shy away from the story. In a June 11 interview with Coates, he described the detention as “a little longer than what it was” in the moment but emphasized that it did not deter him. “You take a lot of risks as press,” he said. “This is low on that sort of scale of risks, but it’s something we’ll continue to navigate.” His calm demeanor and quick return to the airwaves earned praise from colleagues and viewers, with X users calling him “a true pro” and “unshakable.”

Carroll also highlighted the broader context, noting the “passion of the protesters” and the “unfortunate rioting and looting” that had “decimated” parts of L.A. His ability to contextualize the incident without sensationalizing it stood in contrast to the polarized reactions online. Some X posts falsely claimed he was “arrested” or “targeted” for political reasons, while others clarified, as one user did, that he was “detained, not arrested, with no cuffs/zip ties” and moved for curfew compliance.

The Fallout: A Crisis for Press Freedom

The incident has ignited a fierce debate about press freedom and police conduct. Press advocacy groups, including the Committee to Protect Journalists and Freedom of the Press Foundation, sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, accusing federal officers of “deliberately targeting” journalists. The letter cited Carroll’s detention and other attacks, demanding accountability. Noem’s assistant secretary, Tricia McLaughlin, responded vaguely, urging journalists to “exercise caution,” a statement critics called dismissive.

The LAPD has not commented directly on Carroll’s case, though a spokesperson told Newsweek that media were moved to ensure safety during curfew enforcement. CNN reported that two security personnel were briefly detained but released without charges, raising questions about why they were targeted. The network issued a statement condemning the incident as a “violation of press rights,” echoing its 2020 response to Jimenez’s arrest. Other outlets, including CBS News and Fox News, expressed solidarity, with CBS stating, “No journalist should be detained for doing their job.”

Politically, the incident has fueled partisan narratives. Trump’s supporters on X argued that journalists like Carroll were “in the way” of law enforcement, with one user posting, “CNN’s always stirring the pot, no wonder they got moved.” Progressives, meanwhile, accused the administration of orchestrating a crackdown on media to suppress coverage of the riots’ brutality. California officials, including Newsom and L.A. Mayor Karen Bass, condemned the detention, with Bass calling for “safe spaces” for journalists. Newsom’s lawsuit against Trump’s National Guard deployment gained traction, with some X users linking Carroll’s detention to federal overreach.

Broader Implications: Journalism in the Line of Fire

The detention of Carroll and his crew underscores the growing dangers facing journalists in America. The 2020 George Floyd protests saw similar incidents, with reporters like Omar Jimenez arrested despite clear identification, prompting apologies from Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. The L.A. riots, however, occur in a more polarized climate, with Trump’s administration openly critical of mainstream media, often labeling outlets like CNN “fake news.” This rhetoric, coupled with the presence of federal troops, has heightened fears of targeted press suppression.

The incident also reflects the broader unrest gripping the nation. The L.A. riots, driven by anger over immigration policies, echo the 1992 Rodney King riots in their intensity, though the causes differ. Trump’s deployment of Marines and National Guard troops, bypassing state authority, has raised constitutional concerns, with scholars warning of a slide toward authoritarianism. Journalists, caught between protesters and police, face unprecedented risks, as evidenced by the 35 documented attacks since June 6. The First Amendment, meant to protect newsgathering, is under strain, with advocacy groups calling for federal guidelines to safeguard media.

Social media’s role in amplifying the incident cannot be overstated. X posts, from firsthand accounts to misinformation, shaped public perception, with viral clips of Carroll’s detention driving outrage. False narratives, like claims of “arrest” rather than detention, spread rapidly, complicating the truth. Yet, the platform also fostered solidarity, with journalists like the New York Times’ Chris offering support, highlighting the press’s resilience.

Looking Forward: A Test of Press Freedom

As the L.A. riots continue, the investigation into Carroll’s detention remains ongoing, with the LAPD promising a review of media interactions. For Carroll, the incident has only strengthened his resolve. His June 11 broadcast, delivered against a backdrop of police lines and burning debris, was a powerful statement of journalistic duty. “We’re here to tell the story,” he said, a line that resonated with viewers and colleagues alike.

The broader question is whether this incident will prompt meaningful change. Can law enforcement balance public safety with press freedom? Will the Trump administration address accusations of targeting journalists, or will rhetoric like Trump’s “riots & looters” posts escalate tensions? The answers will shape the future of journalism in America, particularly as protests spread to other cities. For now, Carroll’s detention serves as a stark reminder of the risks journalists face and the vital role they play in documenting a nation at a crossroads.

The image of Carroll being led away, hands behind his back, only to return hours later to report the truth, is a testament to the press’s endurance. As he put it, “You saw it with your own eyes.” In a time of division, that unfiltered truth may be the only thing holding America together.