Penske objects to DHS using trucks to transport ICE agents in LA raid

Rental truck company Penske denied any awareness of the Department of Homeland Security's use of their vehicles for an immigration raid in Los Angeles after footage of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel using the trucks to reach the raid unnoticed went viral.

Video footage showed ICE personnel riding in the back of the vehicles, before they opened the back hatch to storm a Home Depot parking lot in McArthur Park. The operation drew furious condemnation from immigration advocates and laughter from conservatives.

"Penske Truck Rental is aware of recent reports and videos regarding a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) operation in Los Angeles," the company said in a statement. "Penske strictly prohibits the transportation of people in the cargo area of its vehicles under any circumstances."

"The company was not made aware that its trucks would be used in today's operation and did not authorize this," it went on. "Penske will reach out to DHS and reinforce its policy to avoid improper use of its vehicles in the future."

Online reactions to Penske's statement were largely mocking, with many conservatives highlighting reports of Penske trucks being used for trafficking purposes. Others, suggested that the DHS would turn to competitor U-Haul, while more still suggested that DHS could merely appropriate the trucks anyway.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent at Just the News. Follow him on X.