Federal immigration agents gathered in force near a scheduled press conference with California Gov. Gavin Newsom in Downtown Los Angeles on Thursday, sparking claims from Democrat officials that the timing was intended to embarrass the governor.
Newsom had been set to speak at the Japanese American National Museum in Little Tokyo when roughly 100 federal agents appeared in the surrounding area, reportedly for an immigration enforcement operation, according to KTLA5.
The Los Angeles Police Department issued alerts warning drivers to expect traffic disruptions in Little Tokyo.
In a social media post shortly before the rally, Newsom predicted that “Donald Trump and [Texas Governor] Greg Abbott are going to have a very bad day today.”
Video taken by local affiliate Fox 11 showed what appeared to be over a dozen armed and masked Border Patrol agents just outside the rally.
The agents could be seen leading a man away in handcuffs as onlookers shouted angrily.
WATCH:
BREAKING: Border Patrol has arrived outside of the downtown LA venue where Governor Newsom will be holding a press conference today & appears to have made at least one arrest. Chief Greg Bovino tells @FOXLA cameraman:
“We’re here making Los Angeles a safer place, since we don’t… pic.twitter.com/RqrnnPu48U
— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) August 14, 2025
Speaking with Fox 11, Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino explained, “We’re here making Los Angeles a safer place.”
“Since we won’t have politicians who will do that, we do that ourselves,” said Bovino.
“So, that’s why we’re here today.
“As you can see, already making it a safer place.”
The Border Patrol chief added, “We’re glad to be here, not going anywhere.”
Asked what his message to Newsom was, Bovino answered:
“Again, we’re making Los Angeles a safer place, we’re going to continue to do that, and they can take that one to the bank and cash it.”
Newsom’s own press office took to social media in all caps, posting:
“BORDER PATROL HAS SHOWED UP AT OUR BIG BEAUTIFUL PRESS CONFERENCE! WE WILL NOT BE INTIMIDATED!”
However, the post omitted the fact that agents arrested an illegal alien.
BORDER PATROL HAS SHOWED UP AT OUR BIG BEAUTIFUL PRESS CONFERENCE! WE WILL NOT BE INTIMIDATED! pic.twitter.com/Bu4gmbeY40
— Governor Newsom Press Office (@GovPressOffice) August 14, 2025
During the event, Newsom’s press team posted on X:
“TRUMP’S PRIVATE ARMY IS ILLEGALLY ON PRIVATE PROPERTY!!!!”
During his remarks, Newsom acknowledged the federal agents, saying:
“Right outside at this exact moment are dozens and dozens of ICE agents.”
“Do you think it’s coincidental?” he remarked.
“Donald Trump and his minions, Tom Homan, tough guy, decided, coincidentally or not, that this was a location to advance ICE arrests.
“Indiscriminate? Perhaps. We’ll find out later.”
“Wake up, America. This is a serious moment,” Newsom added.
“Wake up to what’s going on.
“Wake up to the fear, anxiety.
“Wake up to what’s happening.
“Not just here in Los Angeles, where we saw our streets militarized, where we saw our due process rights thrown out the window.
“That’s Trump’s America,” he said.
“That’s the moment we’re living in. So, these are sober times.”
Democrat Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass claimed the move was deliberate.
“There’s no way this was a coincidence,” Bass told reporters.
“They decided they were going to come and thumb their nose in front of the governor’s face.
“Why would you do that?” she asked.
“That is unbelievably disrespectful; it’s a provocative act.
“They’re talking about disorder in Los Angeles, and they are the source of the disorder in Los Angeles right now.”
But federal officials dismissed the suggestion that the presence of agents was political.
Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said the Border Patrol has routine operations across the city.
“CBP patrols all areas of Los Angeles every day with over 40 teams on the ground to make LA safe,” she stated.
“Our law enforcement operations are about enforcing the law—not about Gavin Newsom.”
Our comment section is restricted to members of the Slay News community only.
To join, create a free account HERE.
If you are already a member, log in HERE.