Should Drones Spy on Americans?

31 July 2025

Representative Jimmy Gomez (D-California) wants to prevent Homeland Security from deploying Reaper drones to surveil U.S. citizens in America.

Seeking to stop the Trump administration from monitoring protests—such as what allegedly occurred during the Los Angeles demonstrations earlier in 2025—Gomez has introduced a bill to compell military drones to stand down in situations where Americans exercise their right to demonstrate.

"The U.S. government should never use military drones to spy on its own people," said Gomez. "Not under Trump. Not under anyone. This bill would stop Trump's abuse of power and get these combat drones out of our neighborhoods."

While Fox news Digital was told that the Department of Homeland Security "is not engaged in the surveillance of peaceful and lawful first amendment activities," it's the definition of "peaceful" that may have launched the drones when the L.A. protests against Immigrations and Customs Enforcement crackdowns turned violent in June.

In these instances, it is known that Customs and Border Protection can deploy "manned and unmanned aerial support to federal law enforcement partners conducting operations—providing situational awareness and communications support that enhance officer safety."

The Gomez bill has been left with the House Judiciary Committee for further action—although it is likely the Republican-controlled House will refuse to move the bill forward.