As California Governor Gavin Newsom prepared to address the media regarding his plans to combat President Trump’s redistricting strategies, a significant presence of federal immigration agents gathered near the venue on Thursday. The governor was scheduled to speak at the Japanese American National Museum in downtown Los Angeles when Border Patrol Sector Chief Gregory Bovino arrived in Little Tokyo, accompanied by agents outfitted in helmets, camouflage, and armed with firearms.
In a statement to a Fox 11 reporter, Bovino asserted, “We’re here making Los Angeles a safer place since we won’t have politicians that’ll do that, we do that ourselves.” When asked about Newsom’s proximity, he dismissively replied, “I don’t know where he’s at.” This show of force drew immediate attention as Newsom’s office took to social media platform X to declare, “BORDER PATROL HAS SHOWED UP AT OUR BIG BEAUTIFUL PRESS CONFERENCE! WE WILL NOT BE INTIMIDATED!”
The operation on Thursday resulted in the detainment of one individual amid growing calls from elected officials and community leaders to cease renewed immigration operations in the Los Angeles area. Over the past week, federal agents have conducted a series of raids, resulting in the arrest of multiple individuals at locations such as car washes and Home Depot stores. Advocates for immigrants had hoped that these aggressive sweeps would cease following a federal judge's order in July, which was later affirmed by the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals on August 1. This court ruling explicitly stated that immigration officials cannot racially profile individuals or engage in roving patrols targeting immigrants.
During a press conference outside the museum after the operation, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass expressed her outrage, stating, “There’s no way this was a coincidence.” She criticized the timing of the federal agents' presence, suggesting it was a deliberate act to undermine the governor. “They’re talking about disorder in Los Angeles,” Bass remarked. “And they are the source of the disorder in Los Angeles right now.”
In response to the mayor's comments, Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin claimed that Bass was misinformed. “Our law enforcement operations are about enforcing the law — not about Gavin Newsom,” she stated, adding that U.S. Customs and Border Protection conducts regular patrols throughout Los Angeles to ensure safety.
Governor Newsom, alongside Democratic allies including organized labor, was at the museum to announce the initiation of a campaign for a ballot measure. If approved by voters, this measure would redraw California's congressional maps ahead of the 2026 midterms, potentially favoring Democratic candidates.
William T. Fujioka, chair of the Board of Trustees for the Japanese American National Museum, witnessed the federal agents' aggressive actions firsthand as they apprehended a man just steps away from the press conference. Video footage from the scene showed federal agents detaining an individual in a red shirt and jeans, sparking outrage among onlookers. One witness, Carlos Franco, reported that the detained individual, referred to as Angel, was merely making a routine delivery of strawberries in the area.
Franco expressed concern for his friend, stating, “It’s pretty sad, because I’ve got to go to work tomorrow, and Angel isn’t going to be there.” He urged everyone to remain cautious, regardless of their immigration status.
Bovino confirmed to reporters that the agents were conducting “roving patrol duties,” and acknowledged that one person had been detained. He emphasized that their operations would continue throughout Los Angeles, asserting, “When they break the law, you can expect you’re probably going to get arrested.” The Department of Homeland Security has yet to respond to inquiries regarding the arrest.
Fujioka, reflecting on the implications of the federal agents' actions, drew parallels to the historical injustices faced by Japanese Americans during World War II. He noted that the museum is situated on the very grounds where individuals of Japanese descent were forcibly relocated and interned. “What’s happening right now is reprehensible,” he lamented, highlighting that these enforcement actions are not solely targeting Latinos, but also affecting diverse communities including Vietnamese, Cambodian, Hmong, Chinese, and Japanese residents.
Mayor Bass condemned the ongoing raids, insisting they violate the temporary restraining order upheld by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. She criticized the administration’s continued operations, stating, “It comes down to one thing — and that is racial profiling.” With the Trump administration recently petitioning the Supreme Court to allow mass deportation efforts in Southern California, Bass remains hopeful for a favorable court ruling but questions whether the administration will abide by the law.
