(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
A dramatic ICE raid on a California cannabis farm has erupted into a political slugfest after the state’s governor, Gavin Newsom, clashed openly with the Department of Homeland Security and the CBP commissioner over child labor claims and law enforcement tactics.
The raid, carried out Thursday at a licensed marijuana facility in Camarillo owned by Glass House Brands Inc., descended into chaos as ICE agents reportedly deployed smoke grenades and rubber bullets as protesters pushed back. The FBI has offered a $50,000 reward for anyone who identifies the individual shooting what appears to be a gun at agents in video captured by ABC7.
U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli confirmed federal agents executed a search warrant at the farm and that they arrested several individuals accused of interfering with the operation. According to the CBP, 10 undocumented minors were found at the site, including eight unaccompanied children.
On Thursday, challenged by pro-MAGA Libs of TikTok account on whether he condemned the violence by protesters, Newsom said he did before slamming the user as a “shit poster.”
“Of course I condemn any
In a follow-up post, sharing social media footage that appeared to show families fleeing in panic, he escalated further: “Kids running from tear gas, crying on the phone because their mother was just taken from the fields. Trump calls me ‘Newscum’ — but he’s the real scum.”
DHS struck back publicly: “Why are there children working at a marijuana facility, Gavin?” the agency posted in response.
Rodney S. Scott, the commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, doubled down: “Here’s some breaking news: 10 juveniles were found at this marijuana facility – all illegal aliens, 8 of them unaccompanied. It’s now under investigation for child labor violations. This is Newsom’s California.”
Newsom’s office pushed back sharply, issuing a statement labeling the raid “inhumane” and condemning what it called “chaos, fear and terror” wrought by Trump-era immigration tactics still active under federal enforcement.
“There’s a real cost to these inhumane immigration actions on hardworking families and communities, including farmworker communities, across America,” the governor’s office said.