Democrats have defiantly stated they will “not be intimidated” following the appearance of armed Border Patrol agents outside a press conference hosted by California Governor Gavin Newsom in Los Angeles on Thursday.
The agents reportedly made an arrest outside the Japanese American National Museum in downtown LA, where the event was taking place. This comes as Newsom announced that California is set to proceed with a proposal to redraw congressional maps, aiming to secure five additional US House seats for Democrats next year.
Newsom’s press office posted a video on social media showing several armed agents, some donning masks, outside the venue. The news comes as Trump opens new migrant ‘Deportation Depot’ just weeks after ‘Alligator Alcatraz’.
“TRUMP’S PRIVATE ARMY IS ILLEGALLY ON PRIVATE PROPERTY! ! ! ! WE WILL NOT BE INTIMIDATED BY THIS WEAK LITTLE MAN! ! !” the office exclaimed.
Eyewitnesses informed The Daily Express US that they observed at least one individual being arrested outside the building.
Newsom addressed the assembled crowd inside the venue, accusing US President Donald Trump of orchestrating the move.
“Right outside, at this exact moment, are dozens and dozens of ICE agents. You think it is coincidental? Donald Trump and his minions, Tom Homan, tough guy, decided, coincidentally or not, that this was the location to advance ice arrests,” he declared.
Greg Bovino, the Border Patrol’s El Centro sector chief, told FOXLA that the agents were present to make “Los Angeles a safer place, since we don’t have politicians who will do that, we do that ourselves.”
US Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, has defended the actions of Border Patrol agents.
“I don’t know what information they had for that operation that they planned today but it was based on the investigative work that all law enforcement officers do for every single operation they conduct to make sure they are getting dangerous criminals off our streets,” she declared on Fox News.
Newsom has called for a special election on 4 November to present the new maps to voters for approval. The official declaration of the special election by California lawmakers is expected next week.
This move comes as a response to Republican attempts to secure five seats in Texas. Democrats have so far managed to halt a vote by Texas lawmakers on a new map by exiting the state.
The Texas initiative is being championed by US President Donald Trump as the Republican party strives to retain its narrow House majority following the midterm elections.
