Last June, the drones were confirmed by amateur flight trackers to be in operation during the anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles. While the CPB said the drones were to “support” federal agents and “provide situational awareness,” critics say the use of military-grade drones has a more sinister purpose. In July, Rep. Jimmy Gomez, D-Calif., introduced a bill to restrict drones like the MQ-9 from being deployed by the government during protests nationally. “My bill to ban military surveillance drones over our cities puts Trump and his administration in check,” Gomez told the Los Angeles Times. Earlier this month, the Los Angeles City Council unanimously approved a resolution endorsing Gomez’s bill.