Photo Credit:Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET
At the 2025 BET Awards, rapper Doechii transformed her acceptance speech into a passionate call for justice, condemning President Donald Trump's immigration policies and use of military force against protesters in Los Angeles.
Winning Best Female Hip Hop Artist, Doechii took the opportunity to highlight the ongoing turmoil outside the Peacock Theater, where protests erupted against ICE raids and escalating crackdowns on immigrants. Addressing the audience, she asserted, "There are ruthless attacks that are creating fear and chaos in our communities in the name of law and order."
Her speech came as demonstrations swept across the city following a weekend of immigration raids, leading to multiple arrests. In response to the growing unrest, Trump authorized the deployment of over 4,100 National Guard troops to Los Angeles. Doechii denounced the use of military force against civilians, declaring, "I want you all to consider what kind of government it appears to be when every time we exercise our democratic right to protest, the military is deployed against us. What type of government is that?"
The rapper’s speech drew a standing ovation as she urged solidarity among oppressed communities. "People are being swept up and torn from their families," she emphasized. "I feel like it’s my responsibility as an artist to use this moment to speak up for all oppressed people—for Black people, for Latino people, for trans people, for the people in Gaza. We all deserve to live in hope and not fear."
As tensions heightened outside the awards venue, law enforcement clashed with protesters, deploying flashbangs and projectiles to disperse crowds. Demonstrators retaliated with fireworks and chants, demanding an end to ICE enforcement in Los Angeles.
California officials condemned Trump's actions, with Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass calling the troop deployment a “deliberate attempt to create disorder and chaos in our city.” While Trump has yet to respond to Doechii’s remarks, her words echo a growing wave of criticism from public figures. Fellow artists, including Tyler, The Creator, The Game, Billie Joe Armstrong, and Tom Morello, voiced support for the protests.
