Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins said that after a weekend of violent riots — during which property was vandalized and police officers and federal agents were targeted by protesters in the streets of Los Angeles — a local VA clinic was forced to close its doors.

Collins issued the statement on Monday afternoon, one day after President Donald Trump deployed National Guard troops to the California city in an effort to get the riots under control and protect the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents who were attempting to enforce federal immigration laws.

The VA secretary shared a photo showing the side of the Los Angeles VA building spray-painted with threats and profanities aimed at federal officials, adding, “To the violent mobs in Los Angeles rioting in support of illegal immigrants and against the rule of law – Your actions are interfering with Veterans’ health care.”

To ensure the safety of Veterans and employees, @DeptVetAffairs had to make the difficult decision to temporarily close its LA Ambulatory Care Center. The clinic will reopen as soon as it is safe to do so, and in the meantime, in-person appointments at the facility are being…

— VA Secretary Doug Collins (@SecVetAffairs) June 9, 2025

“To ensure the safety of Veterans and employees, @DeptVetAffairs had to make the difficult decision to temporarily close its LA Ambulatory Care Center. The clinic will reopen as soon as it is safe to do so, and in the meantime, in-person appointments at the facility are being rescheduled or shifted to telehealth,” he added.

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In an effort to contain the riots, the Trump administration also deployed a number of U.S. Marines from nearby Camp Pendleton, some of whom were expected to relieve the National Guard troops who had already been in the city for nearly two days. Of the 2,000 National Guard troops who were initially deployed to Los Angeles, only approximately 300 have been actively engaged on the streets.

Professional activist Greta Thunberg was roundly mocked for a video she posted to social media in which she claimed she’d been “kidnapped in international waters,” either by Israeli officials or by forces loyal to Israel.

Thunberg, wrapped in a keffiyeh, stared into the camera and claimed, “If you see this video, we have been intercepted and kidnapped in international waters by the Israeli occupational forces, or forces that support Israel.” She then called on people to “put pressure” on the Swedish government to do everything they could to get her back.

But as critics quickly pointed out, Thunberg’s “hostage video” was recorded and shared before the “Freedom Flotilla” — also dubbed the “Selfie Flotilla” — was ever even intercepted by Israeli officials. They also noted that once they were detained, Thunberg and her fellow activists were treated humanely — a courtesy not afforded the hostages taken by Hamas terrorists on October 7, 2023.

“Imagine pre-recording a video claiming you were ‘kidnapped’ by Israel- then going ahead and doing the exact thing that gets you legally detained. Nice choreography,” Hen Mazzig posted. “You weren’t kidnapped, Greta. You trespassed into an active war zone. You were warned. Repeatedly. And you went anyway-cameras rolling. Real hostages don’t get to pre-record their statements. Real hostages are held by your Hamas friends underground in Gaza- starving, tortured, and forgotten by activists like you.”

Imagine pre-recording a video claiming you were “kidnapped” by Israel- then going ahead and doing the exact thing that gets you legally detained. Nice choreography.

You weren’t kidnapped, Greta.
You trespassed into an active war zone.
You were warned. Repeatedly.

And you went… pic.twitter.com/LNJ4aEzx4g

— Hen Mazzig (@HenMazzig) June 9, 2025

“Greta filmed a video claiming she’s been ‘kidnapped.’ In reality, her boat was peacefully boarded, and she’s being brought to shore—where she’ll likely be deported and return to Sweden to continue her selfie activism. The same can’t be said for the 55 hostages still trapped in Hamas’s terror tunnels—starved, tortured, and forgotten for over 20 months,” Aviva Klompas added.

Greta filmed a video claiming she’s been “kidnapped.” In reality, her boat was peacefully boarded, and she’s being brought to shore—where she’ll likely be deported and return to Sweden to continue her selfie activism.

The same can’t be said for the 55 hostages still trapped in… pic.twitter.com/sDyHsNvBst

— Aviva Klompas (@AvivaKlompas) June 9, 2025

“No, @gretathunberg, you little self-righteous provocateur, you are not a ‘hostage’ or ‘kidnapped’. You were treated peacefully, with dignity, provided food by Israel and will now get to go home. But you know who actually are hostages?” Arsen Ostrovsky posted.

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No dear @GretaThunberg, you little self-righteous provocateur, you are not a ‘hostage’ or ‘kidnapped’. You were treated peacefully, with dignity, provided food by Israel and will now get to go home.

But you know who actually are hostages? pic.twitter.com/eaNWKNhpHX

— Arsen Ostrovsky 🎗️ (@Ostrov_A) June 9, 2025

Piers Morgan weighed in as well, saying, “Oh shut up, @GretaThunberg – you attention-seeking narcissist. What an insult to the actual hostages in Gaza who really WERE kidnapped. This stupid stunt is all about your ego, and will make zero difference to the plight of innocent Palestinians caught up in this dreadful war.”

Oh shut up, @GretaThunberg – you attention-seeking narcissist. What an insult to the actual hostages in Gaza who really WERE kidnapped. This stupid stunt is all about your ego, and will make zero difference to the plight of innocent Palestinians caught up in this dreadful war. https://t.co/T5Tej2fgZ4

— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) June 9, 2025

“Greta Thunberg records video saying she’s been kidnapped by Israel- then sails directly into a war zone to ensure she’ll be intercepted,” Brandon Straka posted. “Even Jussie didn’t have the nerve to announce his hate crime BEFORE it happened.”

Greta Thunberg records video saying she’s been kidnapped by Israel- then sails directly into a war zone to ensure she’ll be intercepted. 🤦🏻‍♂️

Even Jussie didn’t have the nerve to announce his hate crime BEFORE it happened. pic.twitter.com/L6IctcmPhW

— Brandon Straka #WalkAway (@BrandonStraka) June 9, 2025