California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Los Angeles rally, dubbed “Liberation Day,” erupted in controversy when armed Border Patrol agents appeared outside, arresting at least one person. The governor, seen as a possible 2028 presidential contender, was unveiling his plan to counter GOP redistricting in Texas when the agents’ presence sparked outrage among supporters.
Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino defended the action, saying agents were there to “make Los Angeles a safer place” and insisted they weren’t leaving. Video showed masked officers escorting a man in handcuffs as onlookers shouted, fueling tensions that Newsom quickly tied to Trump’s influence.
Newsom’s office blasted the incident in all caps, calling the agents “Trump’s private army” and accusing them of trespassing on private property. During his speech, the governor warned that “militarized streets” and “rights thrown out the window” reflected the reality of “Trump’s America.”
The rally came as a new poll delivered more bad news for Newsom. Sixty-four percent of California voters want to keep the state’s independent redistricting commission, rejecting his push to shift power back to lawmakers. The result underscores the political hurdles Newsom faces, even as he tries to position himself as a national leader on voting rights and democracy.
