The 404 Media Podcast: Feds Flew Predator Drones Over The LA Protests
Release Date: June 11, 2025

Introduction to the Investigation
Hosts: Joseph Cox, Sam Cole, Jason Kebler

The episode kicks off with Joseph Cox announcing an upcoming FOIA Forum scheduled for Wednesday, June 18th, where subscribers can learn how to obtain government records through Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. Jason Kebler briefly mentions their recent investigative work, including the "Massive Blue" story, which explores how law enforcement agencies deploy AI avatars on social media to gather evidence.

Surveillance Over LA Protests
Discussion between Joseph Cox and Jason Kebler [04:59 - 21:10]

Jason introduces the central theme of the episode: the surveillance tactics employed by federal agencies during the anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles. He recounts incidents starting with ICE raids in Paramount, leading to sustained protests in downtown LA. Utilizing flight tracking data from ADSB Exchange, Joseph highlights unusual aerial activities:

• California Highway Patrol Aircraft: Regular surveillance flights were observed but served as a prelude to more concerning military involvement.

• DHS Black Hawk Helicopters: Joseph notes multiple Black Hawks conducting operations, including landing to deploy unidentified items, speculated to be ammunition. "There were videos of some of those Black Hawks landing and delivering, I don't know, items, boxes." [05:00]

• Hexagonal Flight Patterns: Intriguingly, drones were seen flying in hexagon-shaped patterns above protest sites, reminiscent of patterns observed during the 2020 George Floyd protests, which were later confirmed to be Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Predator drones.

Decoding the Drone Activity
In-depth Analysis [06:49 - 20:00]

Jason and Joseph delve into the mysterious flight patterns, identifying them as likely DHS Predator drones based on their origin from March Air Reserve Base and distinctive flight behaviors. Despite attempts to trace these aircraft through various agencies, accountability remained elusive. Notably, a collaborative effort with an aviation enthusiast, Aeroscout, uncovered vital air traffic control (ATC) audio:

• Call Sign Revelation: ATC communications revealed the call sign "Troy Q9 Foval 220," where "Troy" is associated with DHS operations, and "Q9" corresponds to the MQ-9 Predator drone model. "That's very, very likely being Predator drones because the sort of official name or title of these drones is MQ9." [18:00]

• Unmanned Aircraft Confirmation: Additional ATC audio warned commercial flights to "watch out for drone traffic," underscoring the presence of unmanned surveillance drones during the protests. "There's a lot of stuff in the sky right now..." [19:42]

Despite reaching out, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and DHS have yet to provide official statements regarding the drone activity. "They haven't denied that this is their predator drone. But we're, we're waiting to see." [20:00]

Implications and Future Surveillance Concerns
Forward-Looking Statements [21:10 - 23:38]

Joseph anticipates increased drone surveillance during upcoming high-profile events, such as the military parade in Washington, D.C., highlighting the ongoing tension between public demonstrations and federal oversight. The hosts express concerns about the normalization of such surveillance measures and their potential impact on civil liberties.

Waymo Driverless Cars and Surveillance Nexus
Transition to Second Major Topic [29:07 - 43:38]

After a brief advertisement break, the conversation shifts to Waymo, Google’s autonomous vehicle subsidiary, which has recently faced vandalism during LA protests:

• Vandalism Incidents: Five Waymo driverless cars were deliberately set on fire in downtown LA, creating significant visual imagery associated with the protests. Jason explains, "Waymos are driverless taxis... and now they're being set on fire." [29:07]

• Waymo’s Response: In response to the attacks, Waymo has suspended services in downtown LA and is coordinating with police to safely remove the damaged vehicles. However, the company remains silent on whether they are sharing surveillance footage with law enforcement. "We're not going to go downtown anymore. And then they also said that they were coordinating with the cops..." [32:27]

• Surveillance Capabilities: The hosts discuss how Waymo’s vehicles, equipped with multiple cameras and lidar sensors, unintentionally serve as surveillance tools. These features have already been leveraged by police to obtain footage from incidents, raising privacy concerns. Jason reflects, "Waymo is not going to run you over... people have realized that these are a potential source of surveillance footage." [37:43]

• Broader Surveillance Issues: Joseph and Jason draw parallels between Waymo’s surveillance capabilities and other technologies like Ring doorbells and dashcams, emphasizing the growing intersection between everyday technology and law enforcement surveillance. "If law enforcement have a legal mechanism to access data... they will absolutely do that." [40:22]

• Ethical Considerations: The conversation touches on the ethical implications of using autonomous vehicles as surveillance devices and the need for companies like Waymo to establish clearer boundaries regarding data sharing with authorities. Sam Cole shares a personal experience highlighting Waymo’s cautious driving nature but also acknowledges the surveillance potential. "Waymos are more careful than most drivers." [44:16]

Conclusion and Subscriber Call-to-Action
Closing Remarks [43:38 - End]

Joseph wraps up the episode by teasing an exclusive segment for subscribers, which will cover a significant guilty plea related to an ongoing case Sam has been following. He encourages listeners to subscribe to 404 Media for access to premium content and to support journalist-founded independent media.

Notable Quotes:

• "There were videos of some of those Black Hawks landing and delivering, I don't know, items, boxes." — Joseph Cox [05:00]

• "That's very, very likely being Predator drones because the sort of official name or title of these drones is MQ9." — Joseph Cox [18:00]

• "Waymo is not going to run you over... people have realized that these are a potential source of surveillance footage." — Jason Kebler [37:43]

Key Takeaways:

1. Increased Federal Surveillance: The deployment of Predator drones by DHS over LA protests indicates heightened federal surveillance measures during significant public demonstrations.

2. Data Transparency Issues: Attempts to identify and hold accountable the agencies operating these drones have been met with institutional silence, raising concerns about transparency.

3. Autonomous Vehicles as Surveillance Tools: Waymo’s driverless cars, while technological marvels, also pose privacy risks due to their extensive use of cameras and sensors, which can be exploited for law enforcement surveillance.

4. Ethical and Legal Implications: The intersection of advanced technology and law enforcement underscores the need for robust ethical frameworks and legal protections to safeguard civil liberties.

5. Call for Subscriber Support: 404 Media emphasizes the importance of subscriber support to continue independent investigative journalism, offering exclusive content and events as incentives.

For more in-depth analysis and exclusive content, consider subscribing to 404 Media at 404media.co.