Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-CA) called the massive show of force at Los Angeles's MacArthur Park on Monday "appalling" after ICE agents and National Guard troops arrived with horses and armored vehicles, with a black Department of Homeland Security helicopter hovering overhead, in what he called a "media stunt" meant to scare the migrant community.
Gomez told CNN on Tuesday that to his knowledge, no one was taken into custody during the government action.
"I've heard that no one was actually detained, which makes us believe that this was more of a political and media stunt where they wanted to, I don't know, capture footage of a show of force by having more than 100 federal agents in full gear...in military equipment, horseback, trucks — a show of force for what? Twenty-plus kids that were playing at a playground during summer camp, some young as as eight years old," Gomez said.
He added, "They said it was about MS-13 gang members. I don't think MS-13 gang members hang out at a summer camp...near downtown LA. So, I think it was just appalling, and we need this kind of activity to stop."
Mayor Karen Bass confronted the agents and demanded they leave the area. After speaking by phone with whoever was in charge of the operation, Bass said the troops dispersed.
Gomez continued, "I want people to understand that this is not what immigration enforcement used to look like. Before Donald Trump, before this term, you never saw full military gear. You didn't see people on horseback. You saw them dressed very differently. So, this is an intimidation. They're trying to scare people."
When asked whether the federal presence was "within the bounds of the law," Gomez answered,
"I don't know what law that they actually broke, but they did scare people in the park, and they tried to intimidate folks. So, that's what we're concerned about, that this is not serving any real purpose."
Sen. Alex Padilla, who was detained by ICE agents last month during an appearance by DHS secretary Kristi Noem, posted on X, "Armored vehicles. Tactical gear. Military-grade weapons. All for the show. This isn't security. It's intimidation. And it has no place in our communities."
Watch the clip below via CNN.