A lawyer was tackled to the ground for trying to help an ICE detainee after local police created a “safe place” for protesters.
The incident occurred outside of the Santa Barbara County Probation Department when federal agents, identified as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents by their vests, took a man into custody.
The Santa Barbara News-Press reported on the operation:
The Santa Barbara Police Department said in a news release that it was informed shortly before 11 a.m. Friday that ICE agents were in the 100 block of east Carrillo Street and community members were filming the activities.
During that time, one of the tires of an ICE agent’s vehicle was slashed, and federal agents took a suspect into custody, driving him and the disabled vehicle to the Santa Barbara Police Department, police said in a statement to the media.
Local authorities said they were not notified that federal officers were coming to the Police Department before they arrived.
Video shows local attorney Doug Hayes, reportedly identified by a different lawyer, allegedly attempting to interfere with the arrest and putting his hand on one agent before he was pepper-sprayed and tackled.
Watch:Â (**Language Warning)
Santa Barbara, CA: Attorney Doug Hayes attacks ICE agents mid-detention gets slammed to the ground and pepper-sprayed in the face.
That’s felony assault caught on video.
Hope he gets charged hard. Lawyers don’t get a free pass to break the law. pic.twitter.com/Ee98ICPtrN
— Kim “Katie” USA (@KimKatieUSA) February 21, 2026
Another angle:
Another angle drops: Doug Hayes goes full FA on ICE agents gets the FO he begged for.
Local Rabid Responder terrorists scream curses nonstop while agents just do their job.
This is what happens when clowns think they’re untouchable. Keep playing, keep paying. pic.twitter.com/MSUNA9qZV5
— Kim “Katie” USA (@KimKatieUSA) February 21, 2026
X users reacted:
— Biden’smissingbrain (@jamesnoble57257) February 21, 2026
That’s assault on a police officer, this fat-man lawyer should be put in jail. Let’s get a felony on his record.
— Skyking58 (@Skyking581) February 21, 2026
And the Public Defenders’ sad little lunch room finds a new hero . . .
— 29 Helens Agree: Curling Is Bocce For Syrupheads (@30_Helens_Redux) February 21, 2026
Lawyers are supposed to be held to a higher standard. I hope he faces discipline.
— Lafree (@Lafree101) February 21, 2026
Anything for attention. He knew exactly what was going to happen.
— Mantis Hands (@mantis_hands) February 21, 2026
Writers and editors can be contacted at [email protected] with feedback, tips, or corrections.
Sierra Marlee is a millennial whose hunger for the truth in a world of fake news has led her to write. Marlee also contributes to BizPac Review.
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