FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino declared “We got him” on September 2, 2025, announcing the arrest of Elpidio Reyna, a 39-year-old Compton man, at the U.S.-Mexico border. The capture marks a significant breakthrough in a federal operation targeting violent anti-ICE protests that erupted in California in June. Reyna is accused of hurling concrete blocks at federal officers during a chaotic clash in Paramount on June 7, leaving one agent injured and government vehicles damaged.
The operation, part of the FBI’s broader “Summer Heat” initiative, has led to over 5,700 arrests of violent offenders since June, with 220 apprehended in the past week alone. Bongino emphasized the agency’s resolve, stating, “Those who attack America’s police officers can run, but they can’t hide.” The arrest at the San Ysidro Port of Entry, assisted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, relied on social media footage and news reports to identify Reyna.
The protests, sparked by ICE’s immigration enforcement in Los Angeles, saw agitators pelting agents with rocks and bottles, prompting tear gas deployment. Critics, including immigrant rights groups, argue the crackdown risks escalating tensions and targeting activists. Supporters, however, praise the FBI’s aggressive stance, citing the need to protect law enforcement amid rising violence.
Reyna faces charges of assault on a federal officer, with further investigations ongoing. The high-profile arrest underscores the Trump administration’s focus on law and order, but it also reignites debates over immigration enforcement tactics and civil liberties. As the FBI vows more arrests, the nation watches a polarized issue unfold.
