Latest Breaking News

groundloop

(13,317 posts) Mon Sep 22, 2025, 03:46 PM Sep 22

Predator drones are monitoring anti-ICE protests

Source: Salon

The federal use of military drones at the Los Angeles anti-ICE protests in June has drawn strong criticism from civil liberties groups and politicians alike, with critics calling the practice “unconstitutional” and “dangerous.”

Typically used to surveil the U.S.-Mexico border, MQ-9 Predator drones are unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) that operate at 20,000 feet and can relay real-time information to agencies like Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Last June, the drones were confirmed by amateur flight trackers to be in operation during the anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles.

While the CPB said the drones were to “support” federal agents and “provide situational awareness,” critics say the use of military-grade drones has a more sinister purpose.

In July, Rep. Jimmy Gomez, D-Calif., introduced a bill to restrict drones like the MQ-9 from being deployed by the government during protests nationally.

Read more: https://www.salon.com/2025/09/22/predator-drones-are-monitoring-anti-ice-protests/

The motherfuckers are using weapons of war to quiet people who are exercising their First Amendment rights.

10 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Predator drones are monitoring anti-ICE protests (Original Post) groundloop Sep 22 OP

Well shit. SSJVegeta Sep 22 #1

Drones are the new flying monkeys. Will the start clawing us up into the air? Irish_Dem Sep 22 #2

There may be a states rights issue here MrWowWow Sep 22 #3

Good point (but we all know that "state's rights" only apply to red states") groundloop Sep 22 #4

Minority Report yellow dahlia Sep 22 #5

Do people still participate in skeet shooting? Deuxcents Sep 22 #6

Either that or maybe get some of Ukrainian friends to come over as "consultants". FadedMullet Sep 22 #7

Unfortunately it'd be pretty difficult to hit a target at 20,000 feet traveling over 100 mph. groundloop Sep 22 #8

Since the question of whether or not this particular type of drone can be armed is key, I inquired with AI AZJonnie Sep 22 #9

It's illegal to shine lasers at piloted aircraft JoseBalow Sep 22 #10

SSJVegeta

(1,597 posts)

1. Well shit.

Reply to groundloop (Original post)

Mon Sep 22, 2025, 03:47 PM

Sep 22

Looks like they arent waiting long before they use the military on their own citizens.

Irish_Dem

(75,516 posts)

2. Drones are the new flying monkeys. Will the start clawing us up into the air?

Reply to groundloop (Original post)

Mon Sep 22, 2025, 03:52 PM

Sep 22

MrWowWow

(1,383 posts)

3. There may be a states rights issue here

Reply to groundloop (Original post)

Mon Sep 22, 2025, 03:53 PM

Sep 22

Any legal eagles here want to tell us?

-Do not want to see this escalate to bombing or nerve gas sorties.

FYI:
Military drones cannot legally conduct surveillance sorties inside CONUS except under narrow, authorized circumstances (disaster aid, border security, or inside restricted training ranges). Any broad domestic surveillance would run afoul of the FAA, the Posse Comitatus Act, and intelligence oversight rules.

Big drones (Reaper, Global Hawk, Gray Eagle) fly in CONUS, but only for training/testing in FAA-approved restricted corridors.

Small drones (Raven, Puma, Wasp) are used by Guard units for disaster response or training.

None are legally allowed to carry out continuous domestic surveillance sorties over U.S. cities.

groundloop

(13,317 posts)

4. Good point (but we all know that "state's rights" only apply to red states")

Reply to MrWowWow (Reply #3)

Mon Sep 22, 2025, 03:55 PM

Sep 22

yellow dahlia

(3,198 posts)

5. Minority Report

Reply to groundloop (Original post)

Mon Sep 22, 2025, 04:22 PM

Sep 22

Too many futuristic movies come to mind.

Deuxcents

(24,201 posts)

6. Do people still participate in skeet shooting?

Reply to groundloop (Original post)

Mon Sep 22, 2025, 04:23 PM

Sep 22

FadedMullet

(516 posts)

7. Either that or maybe get some of Ukrainian friends to come over as "consultants".

Reply to Deuxcents (Reply #6)

Mon Sep 22, 2025, 04:47 PM

Sep 22

groundloop

(13,317 posts)

8. Unfortunately it'd be pretty difficult to hit a target at 20,000 feet traveling over 100 mph.

Reply to Deuxcents (Reply #6)

Mon Sep 22, 2025, 04:56 PM

Sep 22

But maybe someone has some spare Surface to Air missiles laying around.

AZJonnie

(1,664 posts)

9. Since the question of whether or not this particular type of drone can be armed is key, I inquired with AI

Reply to groundloop (Original post)

Mon Sep 22, 2025, 04:59 PM

Sep 22

Yes, MQ-9 drones—commonly known as MQ-9 Reaper or Predator B—can absolutely be armed. Their standard and potential armaments include:

AGM-114 Hellfire air-to-ground missiles (up to 8 can be carried)
GBU-12 Paveway II laser-guided bombs
GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM)
GBU-49 Enhanced Paveway II
GBU-54 Laser JDAM

In some cases, they can be tested/adapted to carry AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles and AIM-92 Stinger missiles, but these are much less common

The MQ-9’s weapons make it a true “hunter-killer” UAV, capable of precision strikes as well as intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions.

Our Representatives need answers as to whether or not said drones were armed in ANY way. If so, Hegseth MUST BE REMOVED from office, at a minimum.

JoseBalow

(8,494 posts)

10. It's illegal to shine lasers at piloted aircraft

Reply to groundloop (Original post)

Mon Sep 22, 2025, 09:24 PM

Sep 22

Does the same apply to unmanned drones?

Reply to this discussion