California Governor Gavin Newsom held a rally in Los Angeles on Thursday to promote his proposed redistricting plan, which he has called the “Election Rigging Response Act.”
The state already has an independent redistricting commission in place, created to oversee such matters without direct political influence.
While the rally was taking place, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents were present nearby.
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The federal presence prompted strong reactions from both Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.
Newsom questioned the timing of the operation, saying he believed federal officers were conducting an enforcement action near the rally site. CBP officials confirmed the agents were theirs, not Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Gavin Newsom is absolutely seething over ICE and Border Patrol agents outside his tiny rally. pic.twitter.com/hvDAhgaSjZ
— Bad Hombre (@joma_gc) August 14, 2025
Reaction from inside the venue:https://t.co/JKKN10FqTz
— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) August 14, 2025
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Border Patrol Chief Greg Bovino addressed the situation, stating, “We’re here making Los Angeles a safer place, since we don’t have politicians who will do that, we do that ourselves.” Bovino added that he was not aware Newsom was in the area during the operation.
Mayor Bass reacted sharply to the proximity of the enforcement activity.
“There is no way this was a coincidence,” she told reporters, alleging that the CBP presence was meant to “thumb their nose in the Governor’s face.”
“Why would you do that? That is unbelievably disrespectful! It’s a provocative act,” Bass continued.
“They’re talking about disorder in Los Angeles and they are the source of the disorder in Los Angeles right now. This is just completely unacceptable… This absolutely has to stop. There was no danger here. There was no need to detain anyone here. And there was certainly no need to have a provocative act right here where the governor is having a press conference.”
. @MayorOfLA shows up to Little Tokyo and reacts to the 100 agent ICE/BP raid during @CAgovernor ‘s press conference about redistricting. pic.twitter.com/do9ITQoG2u
— L.A. TACO🌴🌮 (@LATACO) August 14, 2025
In response to her remarks, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California Bill Essayli said, “The Mayor and other California officials are under the false impression that they are an actual sanctuary from federal law. No person or state is above the law. Federal agents will operate anywhere and anytime within the United States.”
The Mayor and other California officials are under the false impression that they are an actual sanctuary from federal law. No person or state is above the law. Federal agents will operate anywhere and anytime within the United States. https://t.co/H2MNli2OFI
— Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli (@USAttyEssayli) August 14, 2025
Assistant Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Tricia McLaughlin also addressed the situation, explaining that the agents’ presence was part of routine operations.
“It’s about enforcing the law — not about Gavin Newsom,” McLaughlin said. She added that CBP “patrols all areas of Los Angeles every day with over 40 teams on the ground to make LA safe.”
Mayor Bass must be misinformed. Our law enforcement operations are about enforcing the law—not about Gavin Newsom. @CBP patrols all areas of Los Angeles every day with over 40 teams on the ground to make LA safe. https://t.co/ySyDGMbuDG
— Tricia McLaughlin (@TriciaOhio) August 14, 2025
No details were immediately released about the individuals detained during the operation or the nature of the enforcement action.
CBP did not confirm whether the operation was part of a larger effort targeting specific offenses or if it was a routine patrol.
The incident highlights ongoing tensions between federal law enforcement and local officials in California over immigration enforcement and related federal operations.
While California has enacted laws limiting cooperation between local authorities and federal immigration agencies, federal officials have consistently maintained they will continue to operate anywhere within U.S. jurisdiction.
The rally for Newsom’s redistricting proposal proceeded as planned, though the presence of CBP agents nearby became a central point of discussion among attendees and local officials.
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