CNN National Correspondent Jason Carroll was detained by Los Angeles Police Department officers during a live television broadcast on Monday night, June 10, 2025, while covering anti-immigration enforcement protests in the city. The incident occurred as Carroll reported from the scene of ongoing demonstrations that have continued for multiple days.
During anchor Laura Coates’ 11 p.m. broadcast, Carroll had just concluded a segment from one of the protest zones when officers in riot gear approached him. Viewers watched as Carroll was led away with his hands behind his back, prompting confusion in the studio when Coates lost contact with her correspondent.
Carroll informed viewers over his live microphone that he was being detained, leading to a tense exchange with officers that was captured on camera. The correspondent, wearing a black polo shirt and jeans, appeared with an officer on each side as he sought clarification about his status. When Carroll asked if he was being arrested, an officer responded that he was being removed from the area and would not be permitted to return.
According to Carroll’s later account, he had approached an officer and explained his identity and CNN affiliation before being stopped. The veteran journalist described how he was instructed to turn around and place his hands behind his back. Carroll indicated that officers did not use zip ties but grabbed both his hands as they escorted him from the area.
The New York Post reported that during the live broadcast, a person identifying himself as working for The New York Times offered to provide video footage of the incident to CNN if needed. The unidentified individual told Carroll that his crew had recorded the detention.
Carroll expressed surprise at the police action, noting that he had been reporting from the streets throughout the day without incident. He characterized the detention as relatively low-risk compared to other situations journalists face but acknowledged it was unexpected. The correspondent explained that he typically finds officers understand that press members are performing their professional duties during protest coverage.
A CNN spokesperson confirmed that the reporting team was briefly detained while documenting events as police attempted to clear an area during the ongoing protests and law enforcement response. The network representative indicated that the situation resolved quickly once the team presented their CNN credentials to officers. CNN stated it would continue reporting on developments in Los Angeles.
The protests in Los Angeles began on Friday, June 6, 2025, in response to immigration enforcement actions and continued for multiple nights. Police were actively containing and arresting dozens of protesters who had defied orders to disperse in the area where Carroll was reporting. President Donald Trump announced the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops to restore order without California Governor Gavin Newsom’s consent, later adding 2,000 additional guardsmen and active-duty Marines.
Carroll was not the only journalist to encounter difficulties while covering the Los Angeles protests. Lauren Tomasi, a U.S. correspondent for Australia’s 9News, was struck by a rubber bullet on Sunday while reporting live. British news photographer Nick Stern required emergency surgery after being hit in the thigh by a plastic bullet, despite wearing visible press credentials and carrying camera equipment.
According to Deadline, two security personnel working for CNN were also briefly detained before being released without charges. The Los Angeles Press Club, along with 26 other press and civil liberties advocacy groups, wrote to U.S. Homeland Security Secretary addressing concerns about potential First Amendment violations affecting journalists covering the protests.
The coalition documented at least 24 instances of journalists being targeted by law enforcement while covering the protests between June 6-8, 2025. Multiple media workers reported being shot by police with less-than-lethal munitions, including reporters from Southern California News Group, freelance journalists, and photographers from various publications.
Los Angeles County maintains sanctuary policies, with local law enforcement declining to participate in federal civil immigration actions. The protests arose in response to Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations targeting immigrants without legal status, following directives from the Trump administration to conduct sweeps in various neighborhoods.
Carroll, who began his television career in Los Angeles local news, told Newsweek that the detention “did not last long” but felt longer than it actually was. The correspondent emphasized that such risks come with covering protests, though he noted this particular incident was unexpected given his day-long presence at the scene without previous interference.
