Seattle mayor labels anti-ICE riots, protests ‘largely peaceful,’ as WA state officials blame Trump for violence

On Wednesday night, a permitted protest in Seattle spiraled into chaos outside the Henry M. Jackson Federal Building. Rioters dressed in Antifa black bloc hurled rocks, fireworks, and bottles at officers, set dumpsters on fire, and barricaded federal agents inside the building. Eight people were arrested after SPD declared a riot and used dispersal measures to regain control. The violent outburst followed a similar scene the previous day, when demonstrators burned American flags, blocked ICE vehicles, and assaulted journalists.

Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell, however, characterized the mayhem in different terms. “Last night’s protests remained largely peaceful,” Harrell said Thursday morning in a statement. “I’m grateful for SPD officers who exercised professionalism to disperse the demonstration when violence occurred.” Harrell added, “There is no room for violence. Violence and property damage are exactly what Trump wants to spin his false narrative of our city.”

Earlier that day, Harrell had already preemptively blamed Trump for unrest in Seattle, even though the federal government had not initiated any known ICE operations in the city.

“We have heard rumors and media reports regarding ICE raids… The Trump administration’s actions in Los Angeles are an extreme and egregious overreach of federal authority meant to escalate tensions,” Harrell stated. “We disagree with Trump’s ICE policy of mass deportations… My administration is working closely with SPD to ensure adequate preparations and staffing for any demonstrations.”

Meanwhile, in Spokane, a second night of anti-ICE protests descended into similar chaos. Demonstrators barricaded ICE vehicles downtown, prompting Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown to declare a state of emergency. The situation escalated to the point that police deployed smoke grenades and pepper balls, while SWAT units from neighboring Kootenai County were called in for support.

Among those arrested was former Spokane City Council President Ben Stuckart, a vocal advocate for sanctuary policies, who allegedly tried to obstruct federal enforcement actions.

Washington Attorney General Nick Brown echoed Harrell’s senitments, posting his support for the "activists" in the state while accusing Trump of fascism. “What we're seeing from the president is… fascism,” Brown told KUOW that morning. “We're seeing authoritarianism… a disregard for the rule of law,” while not condemning the riots and violence.

Governor Bob Ferguson also pointed the finger at Trump, stating Thursday, “President Trump is escalating the situation [in California], resulting in more violence—and that's exactly what Donald Trump wants.” Ferguson declined to mention the violent unrest in his state, despite National Guard coordination meetings reportedly taking place in Olympia.

Video footage showed rioters carrying Mexican flags and mass-produced protest signs, and using tactics seen in past Antifa-organized actions. Yet city and state leaders offered minimal condemnation of the tactics used, some of which included barricading ICE agents inside federal buildings, setting fires in public streets, throwing concrete at officers, and launching fireworks at police lines.