White House Reacts to California Official Asking Gangs to Take on ICE
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
A spokesperson for the White House has launched a scathing attack on a California official who called on gangs to defend their neighborhoods from immigration agents.
Cynthia Gonzalez, the vice mayor of Cudahy, a suburb in southeast Los Angeles County, asked why street gangs had not stepped forward to "help out and organize" against the "biggest gang there is" in a video posted on social media in June.
"Violence and crime perpetrated by illegal gangs are a serious issue that has wreaked havoc on American communities. Gonzalez's comments are despicable and mock the victims of gang violence in the United States," White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson told Newsweek.
"Violent crime is not a joke, and urging violent illegal gangs to fight ICE officers at a time when they are facing an 830 percent increase in assaults is even worse. Gonzalez should be ashamed of herself," she added.
Newsweek has contacted Gonzalez for comment via email outside normal office hours.
Cynthia Gonzalez, the vice mayor of Cudahy, California.
Cynthia Gonzalez, the vice mayor of Cudahy, California.
City of Cudahy
Why It Matters
California has become a key battleground state for immigration enforcement, with tensions running high between federal authorities and Democratic lawmakers, as well as their local communities. President Donald Trump has directed ICE agents to ramp up operations in sanctuary states as his administration looks to remove millions of migrants without legal status to fulfill his campaign pledge of widespread mass deportations.
What To Know
At a city council meeting on Tuesday, Gonzalez responded to the incident by saying: "I just want to take some time to address the short, satirical TikTok video I made recently that drew national headlines and public criticism. To be clear, I created this video in my personal time and on my personal page."
"The message was not about violence; It was about regular people … claiming ownership of our streets in a time of great distress and asking others, who I mentioned in my video, in organizing and protesting against the harm and violence being inflicted on our community."
The video has since been removed from her social media profiles.
In the now-deleted TikTok video, Gonzalez said: "18th Street, Florencia, where's the leadership at? Because you guys are all about territory. … You guys tag everything up—claiming hood. And now that your hood's being invaded by the biggest gang there is, there ain't a peep out of you.
"It's everyone else who's not about the gang life that's out there protesting and speaking up. We're out there fighting our turf, protecting our turf, protecting our people and, like, where you at?
"Don't be trying to claim no block, no nothing. If you're not showing up right now, trying to help out and organize, I don't want to hear a peep out of you once they're gone."
The Los Angeles Police Protective League has called for her resignation following the incident. Gonzalez has not publicly indicated that she is considering stepping back from her position.
What Are People Saying
Cynthia Gonzalez, the vice mayor of Cudahy, California, said at a meeting: "I want to apologize to city staff, members of the council and my community that my video took attention away from the pain our communities are experiencing and brought unnecessary attention to our city."
Tricia McLaughlin, an assistant secretary at the Department of Homeland Security, previously told Newsweek: "Vice Mayor Gonzalez's comments are despicable. She called for criminal gangs—including the vicious 18th street gang—to commit violence against our brave ICE law enforcement. This kind of garbage has led to a more than 500 percent increase in assaults against our brave ICE law enforcement officers. Democrats must stop comparing ICE to the Gestapo and calling for violence against our law enforcement."
The City of Cudahy said in a statement on June 24: "The comments made by the Vice Mayor reflect her personal views and do not represent the views or official position of the City of Cudahy. The City will not be providing further comment."
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