LOS ANGELES — On Thursday, August 14, 2025, California Governor Gavin Newsom launched a fiery rebuke of President Donald Trump after federal immigration agents staged a raid outside his press conference in downtown Los Angeles. The event, held at the Japanese American National Museum in Little Tokyo, was intended to unveil Newsom’s bold plan to redraw California’s congressional maps to counter Republican-led gerrymandering in Texas. As Newsom spoke, approximately 100 Border Patrol agents conducted an immigration operation nearby, detaining at least one person, according to ABC7 News.
Newsom, flanked by Senators Adam Schiff and Alex Padilla, accused the Trump administration of orchestrating the raid to intimidate. “Do you think it’s coincidental? Donald Trump and his minions, [border czar] Tom Homan, tough guy, clearly decided, coincidentally, or not, that this was a location to advance ICE arrests,” he told reporters. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass echoed the sentiment, calling the operation “unbelievably disrespectful” and a “provocative act.” “The White House just sent federal agents to try to intimidate elected officials at a press conference,” Bass posted on X, adding, “Los Angeles doesn’t back down.”
The raid overshadowed Newsom’s announcement of a November 4 special election to let voters approve new congressional maps, which could secure five additional Democratic House seats in 2026. “We’ve got to meet fire with fire,” Newsom declared, framing the move as a direct response to Texas Republicans’ redistricting efforts. The plan, which requires legislative approval by August 22, has sparked debate, with critics arguing it risks escalating partisan battles over electoral maps.
Tensions were further heightened by recent clashes, including a July incident in Camarillo where an anti-ICE protester allegedly pointed a gun at agents, prompting Newsom to condemn violence while comparing critics’ outrage to the January 6 Capitol riot. U.S. Customs and Border Protection official Gregory Bovino insisted the Little Tokyo operation was routine, stating, “Breaking the law is not coincidental.” Yet, Newsom and Bass rejected claims of coincidence, pointing to ongoing friction with Trump’s immigration policies, including a prior lawsuit over National Guard deployment. As California braces for more federal actions, Newsom’s defiance signals a broader fight ahead.
Source: ABC7 News
