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Border Patrol agents make arrest outside Gov. Newsom's LA news conference

A white man in a navy blue suit speaks into a microphone while surrounded by people.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks during a news conference on Aug. 14, 2025, in Los Angeles.
(
Marcio Jose Sanchez
/
AP
)

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Topline:

U.S. Border Patrol Sector Chief Gregory Bovino led agents in arresting at least one person Thursday outside a news conference held by top California Democrats today at the Democracy Center of the Japanese American National Museum in Little Tokyo.

About the event: The news conference was held by Gov. Gavin Newsom to call for a Nov. 4 special election to decide whether the state will redraw Congressional maps before the 2026 election. Newsom was joined by U.S. Senators Adam Schiff and Alex Padilla.

From the Border Patrol: Bovino spoke to reporters after the operation, calling it a “roving patrol.” When asked if the location of the patrol was a coincidence, Bovino replied that “breaking the law is not coincidental. Breaking the law is breaking the law.” Bovino said at least one undocumented person was detained during the patrol.

Responses from Democratic leaders: Newsom told reporters after the news conference that sending the Border Patrol chief to their location was “sick and pathetic.” L.A. Mayor Karen Bass also criticized the move, telling reporters the news conference was widely publicized and that the operation was a “provocative act.”

Corrected August 14, 2025 at 4:33 PM PDT

This brief has been corrected to state that the press conference was held at the Democracy Center of the Japanese American National Museum.

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