California Representatives Seek to Curb Federal Surveillance Drone Powers

Bill HR 4759 was introduced following reports that the federal government used drones to monitor recent ICE protests in Los Angeles.

The property lines of homes burned during the Palisades Fire still sit visible in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles on June 9, 2025. John Fredricks/The Epoch Times

U.S. Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.) has introduced a bill to restrict federal law enforcement’s deployment of military drones for the purpose of recording public demonstrations.

The bill, HR 4759, comes after reports that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) used reconnaissance drones similar to the Predator drones used in the military to monitor recent protests against immigration enforcement operations in downtown Los Angeles.