Waymo has suspended its self-driving car operations in downtown Los Angeles after anti-ICE rioters targeted and set fire to multiple vehicles in their autonomous fleet.
At a Glance
- Waymo has halted operations in downtown Los Angeles following targeted arson attacks on its autonomous vehicles
- At least five Waymo self-driving cars were damaged by anti-ICE protesters, with damages estimated between $750,000 and $1 million
- Attackers slashed tires, smashed windows, spray-painted anti-ICE messages, and used a makeshift flamethrower to set cars on fire
- The LAPD has warned about the dangers of burning lithium-ion batteries, which release toxic gases
- Waymo, formerly the Google Self-Driving Project, is now operating under Alphabet Inc.
Targeted Attacks Force Waymo to Suspend Operations
Waymo, a leading U.S. autonomous vehicle company, has temporarily withdrawn its fleet of self-driving cars from downtown Los Angeles. The decision comes after anti-ICE rioters targeted at least five of the company’s vehicles in a series of destructive attacks. The company, which began as the Google Self-Driving Project before rebranding in 2016 under parent company Alphabet Inc., faces significant setbacks as it navigates this unexpected challenge to its expansion in the Los Angeles market.
Autonomous taxi service Waymo has suspended its service in parts of LA following five of the company’s vehicles being set ablaze over the weekend during violent anti-ICE riots that rocked the city.
Per the Washington Post, the company said that it had removed its vehicles from… pic.twitter.com/MtePSR54q9
— Melissa Hallman (@dotconnectinga) June 9, 2025
Extensive Damage and Safety Concerns
The attacks against Waymo vehicles were both coordinated and destructive. Perpetrators slashed tires, smashed windows, and spray-painted anti-ICE messages on the autonomous vehicles. In more extreme cases, attackers tore doors off the vehicles and used a makeshift flamethrower to set car interiors ablaze. The Los Angeles Police Department has issued warnings about the dangers posed by burning lithium-ion batteries, which release toxic gases when damaged, creating additional public safety hazards beyond the property damage.
Financial Impact and Broader Implications
The financial toll of these attacks is substantial, with damages to the five vehicles estimated between $750,000 and $1 million. This incident highlights the vulnerabilities autonomous vehicle companies face when deploying cutting-edge technology in urban environments with complex social and political dynamics. The targeting of Waymo vehicles by anti-ICE protesters suggests a conflation of autonomous technology companies with immigration enforcement, though the precise motivation behind this connection remains unclear.
Investigation and Future Operations
Local authorities are investigating the incidents while Waymo evaluates when it will be safe to resume operations in downtown Los Angeles. The company continues to operate in other parts of the city and in other markets across the country. This incident marks one of the most significant targeted attacks on autonomous vehicle technology in the United States and raises questions about security measures needed to protect such vehicles in the future. The outcome of this situation could influence how autonomous vehicle companies approach deployment in politically active urban centers.
