“Accordingly, EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY the 40mm SHALL NOT be used during any CROWD CONTROL situation,” said the memo, a copy of which was reviewed by the Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles police faced multiple allegations of excessive force during protests against the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown last summer. Earlier this year a different federal judge issued an order barring the LAPD from using less-lethal munitions against journalists and nonviolent protesters — a ruling that is under appeal. Lawyers for the City of Los Angeles and Department of Homeland Security previously argued that the judge’s ban was impractical and overly broad. ©2026 Los Angeles Times.

Source: Los Angeles Times January 20, 2026 15:18 UTC