A press conference held by California Governor Gavin Newsom at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles’ Little Tokyo was overshadowed by a federal immigration enforcement operation just outside the venue on Thursday, August 14, 2025. The operation, which resulted in at least one arrest, sparked immediate backlash from Newsom, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, and other Democratic leaders, who labeled it a deliberate provocation by the Trump administration.
Newsom was speaking about his plan to redraw California’s congressional districts in response to Republican-led redistricting efforts in Texas. The event, attended by Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff, also included a ceremony honoring three Japanese American brothers who served in World War II while their family faced internment. However, the focus shifted when approximately 100 U.S. Border Patrol and ICE agents conducted what officials described as a routine immigration patrol in the area, detaining a strawberry vendor identified as being in the country illegally.
Video footage captured masked and armed federal agents leading the man away in handcuffs near the Democracy Center, prompting shouts from onlookers. Newsom’s office took to social media, posting in a style mimicking President Donald Trump’s rhetoric: “BORDER PATROL HAS SHOWED UP AT OUR BIG BEAUTIFUL PRESS CONFERENCE! WE WILL NOT BE INTIMIDATED!” Another post claimed, “TRUMP’S PRIVATE ARMY IS ILLEGALLY ON PRIVATE PROPERTY!!!!”
During his speech, Newsom directly addressed the operation, saying, “Right outside, at this exact moment, dozens and dozens of ICE agents. Donald Trump, you think it’s coincidental? Trump’s minions, [Border Czar] Tom Homan, decided this was a location they’d advance.” He added, “Donald Trump, you have poked the bear. We will punch back,” framing the raid as an attack on California’s values.
Mayor Karen Bass was equally critical, calling the timing “unbelievably disrespectful” and “provocative.” She told reporters, “There’s no way this was a coincidence. They decided to come and thumb their nose in front of the governor’s face. They are the source of the disorder in Los Angeles right now.”
Border Patrol Sector Commander Gregory K. Bovino defended the operation, stating, “We’re here making Los Angeles a safer place. Since we don’t have politicians who will do that, we do it ourselves.” When asked if the timing was coincidental, Bovino replied, “Breaking the law is not coincidental. Breaking the law is breaking the law.”
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, speaking live on Fox News as the arrests unfolded, emphasized that operations target “the worst of the worst” based on investigative work. “Every single one of our ICE and Border Patrol operations is built on information to ensure we’re getting dangerous criminals off our streets,” she said, though she did not confirm specifics about the Little Tokyo raid.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) clarified that the operation was not aimed at Newsom personally. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated, “Our law enforcement operations are about enforcing the law—not about Gavin Newsom.” She noted that Border Patrol conducts daily patrols across Los Angeles with over 40 teams.
The raid is part of a broader wave of immigration enforcement under President Trump’s second term, with nearly 56,600 migrants detained by ICE since January 2025, according to NBC News. Of those, 29% had criminal convictions, 24.7% faced pending charges, and 46.8% were classified as “other immigration violators.”
Sentiment on X reflected polarized views. Supporters of the operation, such as @LionelMedia, praised the Trump administration’s “no-nonsense” approach, stating, “ICE agents are making arrests outside Newsom’s press conference location, sending a clear message: America First means borders secured.” Others, like @EricLDaugh, celebrated the raid as a direct challenge to California’s sanctuary policies.
Critics argue the timing was a political stunt to undermine Newsom, a vocal Trump opponent. The operation’s proximity to a well-publicized event attended by top California Democrats fueled speculation of deliberate targeting, though federal officials maintain it was routine. The Los Angeles Police Department warned of traffic disruptions due to the federal presence, underscoring the operation’s scale.
The incident highlights ongoing tensions between California’s leadership and the Trump administration, particularly over immigration policy. Newsom’s recent clashes with Trump, including over National Guard deployments, have intensified, with the governor accusing the administration of undermining democracy.
As both sides dig in, the Little Tokyo raid underscores the deepening divide between federal immigration enforcement and California’s sanctuary state stance, setting the stage for further confrontations.
