No Evidence Newsom Shared Trump Joke Before Los Angeles ICE Raids

(LOS ANGELES) There is no credible, independently verified report that Governor Gavin Newsom revealed a private joke from President Trump before federal immigration raids in Los Angeles. What is confirmed is that on August 14, 2025, federal agents arrested at least one person outside an anti-Trump rally led by Gavin Newsom in Los Angeles, drawing sharp criticism from the governor and immigrant advocates.

Newsom denounced the timing and location, calling it a bid to frighten protesters and immigrant families. He made no public mention of any private phone call or joke from President Trump.

Raids near the rally and state response

Witnesses described more than a dozen armed U.S. Border Patrol agents outside the event. Newsom paused his remarks to point out the federal presence, questioning why the operation unfolded at a political rally rather than in a controlled setting.

His office later blasted the action as intimidation, accusing federal agents of acting like “Trump’s private army” on private property and labeling President Trump a “criminal president.” Those statements echoed the governor’s months-long critique of immigration sweeps in Los Angeles.

Gavin Newsom has anchored his case on two central claims:

• That the raids are unconstitutional.
• That they are economically harmful to California.

He argues families are afraid to leave home, workers are skipping shifts, and small businesses—from restaurants to construction crews—are struggling to staff jobs. Local leaders in Los Angeles have joined that criticism.

• The Los Angeles City Council has voted to block city resources from being used in immigration enforcement.
• Community groups have set up rapid-response networks to warn residents when agents appear at workplaces or apartment complexes.

Federal officials reject the charge of political theater. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and border policy advisor Tom Homan say the goal is public safety, insisting agents focus on people with criminal records. Homan argues that because Los Angeles limits cooperation with federal detainers, agents must conduct more street and workplace arrests.

That claim runs into available data from this summer, which shows many of those detained in the region do not have past convictions.

Court order and arrest trends

From June 6 to August 7, 2025, ICE and U.S. Customs and Border Protection recorded 4,163 arrests in the Los Angeles area.

• The pace was fastest in June—about 88 arrests per day.
• It slowed to about 68 per day in July.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the timing aligned with a federal court order that narrowed when and how agents can stop people.

On July 11, 2025, U.S. District Judge Maame Ewusi-Mensah Frimpong issued a temporary restraining order that:

• Bars immigration agents from making arrests without reasonable suspicion.
• Blocks targeting based only on race, location, or type of work.

The order, now in force across Southern California, has constrained the scope of workplace and street operations. It does not halt enforcement, but it requires clearer grounds for an arrest.

Importantly, data from June showed that about 60% of those arrested had no criminal history, complicating the claim that agents are mainly going after people with serious convictions.

Parallel legal and political actions

Newsom has pursued multiple tracks to challenge federal actions:

1. Filed a public records request to uncover the taxpayer cost of the federal National Guard deployment to Los Angeles.
2. Sued in federal court in a case captioned Newsom v. Trump, arguing the deployment and its use violate the balance of power between the United States 🇺🇸 and California.

A hearing is expected next week. A bipartisan group of former governors and senior military leaders has filed amicus briefs supporting the state’s position.

This legal context helps explain a tactical shift: because Los Angeles-area jails typically do not hold people for immigration pickup, arrests have moved into neighborhoods and job sites. After Judge Frimpong’s order, agents must document reasonable suspicion before detaining someone. That has reduced quick “stop-and-grab” detentions and slowed the overall pace.

What comes next for Los Angeles

The next steps hinge on the court calendar and political decisions in Washington.

• If the court limits federal authority further in Newsom v. Trump, it could set a new baseline for how ICE and Border Patrol operate across California.
• If the court sides with the federal government, agents could try to ramp up again, though the July order on reasonable suspicion would remain unless changed by a higher court.

Meanwhile, the human impact is already clear:

• Parents are planning school drop-offs with backup caregivers.
• Workers are switching shifts or staying home after reports of agents near bus stops.
• Business owners say delays are hitting construction timelines and restaurant kitchens.

UCLA Anderson forecasters project a downturn for parts of California’s economy if aggressive enforcement continues, with ripple effects in hospitality, agriculture, and building trades.

Practical steps for immigrants and mixed-status families

For immigrants and mixed-status families in Los Angeles, several practical steps can reduce risk during any future ICE or Border Patrol contact:

• Ask, “Am I free to leave?” If the answer is yes, walk away calmly.
• You have the right to remain silent. You don’t have to sign papers you don’t understand.
• Do not open the door unless agents show a warrant signed by a judge. An administrative warrant alone usually does not let them enter a private home without consent.
• Carry the phone numbers of trusted relatives and a legal aid group. Make a simple plan for childcare and medical needs in case someone is detained.
• Keep copies of important documents in a safe place a family member can reach.

None of these steps stop enforcement, and they are not a substitute for legal advice. But they can help families stay prepared while the courts sort out limits on federal power in Southern California.

The July order does not bar all stops; it requires agents to have a reasonable basis before detaining someone and forbids arrests based only on race, location, or job site.

The situation remains polarized: Newsom frames the raids as a threat to civil rights and due process, while federal officials say sanctuary rules force them to act in public spaces. The debate will likely intensify as the court weighs the National Guard deployment, the cost to taxpayers, and the line between public safety and political targeting.

Residents seeking official information about federal enforcement policy can consult the Department of Homeland Security at dhs.gov for agency statements and updates.

Community organizations will continue running rapid-response hotlines and “know your rights” trainings, and the Los Angeles City Council is expected to keep blocking the use of city staff and property for immigration enforcement.

Bottom line

The rumor about a private joke remains just that—a rumor. The record shows:

• Intense enforcement activity and a 4,163-arrest summer in Los Angeles.
• A federal judge’s July 11 order reshaping tactics.
• A governor turning those facts into a broader legal and political fight with President Trump.

The outcome could redefine where federal immigration power ends and California’s authority begins, with real consequences for families, workers, and employers across the region.