FBI Investigating Call to Gang Members by California Lawmakers
The FBI is looking into a controversial call made by California lawmakers to gang members as a way to protect their territory from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
In a video posted by Bill Melugin on X, a Fox News correspondent, Cudahy’s Deputy Mayor Cynthia Gonzalez is seen confronting members of the 18th Street and Florencia 13 gangs, suggesting that ICE agents pose a significant threat to their neighborhoods. Gonzalez remarked that these agents have a considerable influence in gang territories.
She pressed the gang members, asking, “Do you want to know where all the Choros in Los Angeles are?” She challenged them about the leadership within their territory, implying that their control is losing strength. Gonzalez made it clear that while they claim territory, the presence of ICE means those claims are being undermined.
“It’s not just about the lives of gangs claiming to stand up; there are others affected too. Are we fighting for the grass or protecting the people?” she reflected, emphasizing the larger implications of the situation.
Gonzalez further urged gang members to take action if they wanted to assert ownership of certain blocks, warning against empty claims of territory. “I don’t want to hear you peep about this being your block if you’re not contributing to the community,” she asserted.
According to Melugin, some federal sources suggested that Gonzalez is currently under FBI investigation following her comments. She shared on social media that after posting the video, the FBI visited her home and indicated she required legal representation.
Tricia McLaughlin, Deputy Director of the Department of Homeland Security, has previously stated that law enforcement is confronting serious challenges. She referred to the arrest of Roberto Carlos Munoz, a convicted child sex offender who attempted to evade arrest by dragging an officer with his vehicle.
“This week, an ICE officer was dragged while pursuing a suspect, highlighting the daily risks these agents face to safeguard American citizens,” McLaughlin stated.
Stephen Miller, White House Deputy Chief of Staff, added to the discussion by outlining the extreme dangers that ICE officers routinely encounter, implying that political narratives are contributing to a climate of hostility.
He shared a video from DHS showing an individual attacking federal law enforcement with unusual weapons, illustrating the violent challenges that law enforcement must navigate.
