Waymo robotaxis torched, vandalized amid LA protests over immigration raids
Several Waymo self-driving cars were attacked and set on fire Sunday in downtown Los Angeles during protests against aggressive ICE raids. Protesters slashed tires, smashed windows, and spray-painted anti-ICE slogans on five Waymo Jaguars. Three were ablaze, with some Lime e-scooters thrown into the fires.
The Los Angeles Times reported the cars even honked in a “coordinated cacophony” as chaos unfolded. 
LAPD warned that burning lithium-ion batteries from Waymo cars and Lime scooters release toxic gases like hydrogen fluoride — dangerous for bystanders.
The motive behind targeting Waymo vehicles isn’t fully clear. Past incidents show LAPD has used footage from Waymo cars in crime investigations. For example, in April, police released video from a Waymo car in a hit-and-run probe.
Waymo and Lime haven’t commented on the attacks.
Vandalism isn’t new for Waymo in LA. Since launching its robotaxi service there in November 2024, Waymo’s cars have been hit multiple times. In July 2024, a person was charged for slashing tires on 17 Waymo vehicles in San Francisco.
The protests ignited June 6 after ICE raids arrested over 100 immigrants across LA. Demonstrations turned violent, spread to nearby cities, and blocked freeways.
President Trump reacted by federalizing the California National Guard and sending up to 300 soldiers to LA. California Governor Gavin Newsom called this a “serious breach of state sovereignty” and demanded troops be removed.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the Marines could be mobilized if violence continues.
Videos online show LAPD using batons and rubber bullets against protesters and journalists.
