A new analysis from the Media Research Center (MRC) shows that CNN and MSNBC collectively referred to anti-ICE protests and riots in Los Angeles as “peaceful” more than 200 times over a recent 48-hour period, even as video footage and official reports showed widespread violence, looting, and attacks on law enforcement.

According to the study released by MRC, between the hours of 5:00 a.m. and 11:59 p.m. from June 7 to June 11, there were 211 separate instances across the two cable news networks in which reporters, anchors, pundits, or guests described the events in Los Angeles using terms such as “peaceful,” “mostly peaceful,” or “largely peaceful.”

During this time frame, both CNN and MSNBC aired multiple interviews with elected officials from California, several of whom also referred to the events as peaceful despite ongoing reports of store break-ins, arson, and assaults on police officers.

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In one example cited by the MRC, CNN anchor Brian Stelter said, “The intention, it seems, is to lump in violent rioters and peaceful protestors,” suggesting that coverage of the unrest was unfairly painting all demonstrators in a negative light.

Similarly, on MSNBC, several hosts and commentators appeared to downplay the scale of violence.

On June 11, host Chris Hayes stated, “Donald Trump can try to turn the military into a partisan tool, mobilizing the National Guard and even the Marines against peaceful protestors.”

That same evening, MSNBC host Nicolle Wallace said, “Donald Trump referred to those peaceful protestors exercising their First Amendment rights as insurrectionists.”

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The unrest in Los Angeles occurred as part of a broader series of demonstrations opposing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Some of the protests escalated into riots in areas including downtown LA, where law enforcement vehicles were torched, storefronts were vandalized, and multiple police officers sustained injuries while responding to violent crowds.

President Donald Trump deployed National Guard units to the area during the height of the violence in an effort to restore public order.

His decision was criticized by some media figures, who argued that the move represented an excessive response to what they portrayed as peaceful demonstrations.

MRC’s methodology for the report included counting any instance in which a host, nonpartisan guest, or reporter used terms such as “peaceful,” “mostly peaceful,” or similar descriptors in reference to the protests, even when segments included footage of violence or acknowledged violent activity.

MRC clarified that these instances were counted only when the description occurred during a segment in which unrest or violence was shown or discussed.

The study is the latest in a series of media analyses from MRC, which has previously documented discrepancies between media narratives and real-time events during episodes of civil unrest.

WOW: Fox News reports, a study from the Media Research Center shows that in the space of one day, from June 11th to the 12th, CNN and MSNBC personalities claimed the anti-ICE demonstrations were peaceful a whopping 211 times.

Propaganda. pic.twitter.com/8UAVXqvptw

— DeVory Darkins (@devorydarkins) June 16, 2025

As of June 12, law enforcement officials in Los Angeles reported more than 300 arrests linked to the protests and riots, dozens of injuries to officers, and millions of dollars in property damage.

Local authorities have not indicated when a full accounting of the damage or legal proceedings will be completed.

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