U.S. Border Patrol agents maintained a highly visible presence outside California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s anti-Trump rally in Los Angeles on Thursday, making at least one arrest as onlookers protested.
The event, dubbed “Liberation Day,” was staged by Newsom—rumored to be eyeing a 2028 presidential run—to unveil his plans for countering the GOP’s redistricting push in Texas. In a social media post ahead of the rally, Newsom warned, “Donald Trump and [Texas Governor] Greg Abbott are going to have a very bad day today.”
Footage obtained by Fox News from local affiliate Fox 11 shows more than a dozen armed, masked Border Patrol agents stationed outside the rally. One man was escorted away in handcuffs as the crowd shouted in protest.
Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino told Fox 11, “We’re here making Los Angeles a safer place. Since we won’t have politicians who will do that, we do that ourselves. As you can see, already making it a safer place.” When asked what message he had for Newsom, Bovino replied, “We’re making Los Angeles a safer place, and they can take that one to the bank and cash it.”
Newsom’s office fired back in an all-caps email to Fox News Digital: “WE WILL NOT BE INTIMIDATED BY WEAK LITTLE DONALD TRUMP, THE CRIMINAL PRESIDENT!” His social media team also tweeted: “TRUMP’S PRIVATE ARMY IS ILLEGALLY ON PRIVATE PROPERTY!!!!” Despite the heated statements, neither Newsom’s administration nor the city of Los Angeles took steps to remove the federal agents.
During his speech, Newsom acknowledged the federal presence directly. “Right outside at this exact moment are dozens and dozens of ICE agents,” he said. “Do you think it’s coincidental? Donald Trump and his minions decided, coincidentally or not, that this was the location to advance ICE arrests. Indiscriminate? Perhaps. We’ll find out later.”
Newsom urged Americans to take notice. “Wake up, America. This is a serious moment. Wake up to the fear, anxiety… to what’s happening. That’s Trump’s America. These are sober times.”
The rally comes as immigration remains a key voter concern heading into the 2024 election. During President Biden’s term, illegal immigration has surged, a challenge his Democratic predecessor, Kamala Harris, struggled to address.
Meanwhile, Newsom faces political hurdles at home. A recent POLITICO–Citrin Center–Possibility Lab survey found that 64% of California voters want to keep the state’s independent redistricting commission, even as Newsom pushes to temporarily return that power to the Democratic-controlled legislature. Only 36% support transferring authority back to lawmakers, with majorities across party lines favoring the independent commission.
Newsom’s push to redraw California’s political maps aligns with the national fight over redistricting, mirroring Trump’s efforts in Texas to shape congressional districts in favor of Republicans.