Los Angeles has declared a state of emergency in response to widespread immigration raids throughout the city, as California intensifies its defiance against actions endorsed by President Trump. This decisive action aims to support Los Angeles residents impacted by ICE operations. Meanwhile, Governor Gavin Newsom seems to be preparing for a potential run for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028.

Attorney General Pam Bondi criticized this move during a Tuesday night interview on Fox News. When host Sean Hannity inquired about the legality of California’s plan to provide rent relief to tenants affected by ICE actions, Bondi responded firmly, asserting it was illegal. With nearly one-third of the county’s ten million residents being foreign-born, this policy could significantly affect a vast segment of the population.

During her interview, Bondi also took aim at Democrats for fundraising during the government shutdown, pointing out that many federal law enforcement officers might not receive their paychecks during this period. ICE communicated to Fox News Digital that the true “state of emergency” lies with Los Angeles citizens who have elected officials disregarding the law.

Emily Convington, an ICE spokesperson, suggested that funds should be allocated to legal residents affected by recent wildfires instead. She remarked, “Perhaps the board should manage funds to aid law-abiding fire victims still recovering, rather than supporting illegal aliens seeking sanctuary in their city. Despite their public fear-mongering, I’d be surprised if they disagreed with ICE removing a child rapist from their community.”

Abigail Jackson, a spokesperson for Trump, issued a statement to Newsweek, condemning the Democratic Party. She declared, “The real emergency involves the numerous illegal aliens, with criminal backgrounds, whom Joe Biden has allowed to cross our Southern Border and wreak havoc on American communities. President Trump is committed to his promise of deporting criminal aliens, regardless of Democratic opposition.”

Democrat California Governor Gavin Newsom posted a video bashing Trump’s handling of the situation, without endorsing the move by the county. The clip was a commercial promoting Prop 50, Newsom’s attempt to re-district California to gain Democrats more seats in Congress. ‘Donald Trump wants to take over American cities with the military. And he’s just getting started,’ Newsom wrote. The video quotes Trump himself, suggesting that ‘American cities be used as training grounds for the military.’ The Daily Mail has reached out to the White House for comment.

The ICE raids taking place across greater Los Angeles have spread fear throughout immigrant communities, prompting many to limit their outings and stop going to work. Federal agents have rounded up immigrants without legal status from Home Depots, car washes, bus stops, and farms. Some U.S. citizens have also been detained. The local state of emergency can also funnel state money for legal aid and other services. Under the order, funds for rent will be available to people who apply via an online portal that would be launched within two months, Supervisor Lindsey Horvath’s office said.

The motion could also be a first step toward an eviction moratorium, but that would require a separate action by the supervisors. Landlords worried it could be another financial hit after an extended ban on evictions and rental increases during the COVID-19 pandemic. The declaration was passed by a 4-1 vote, with Supervisor Kathryn Barger opposing. Horvath and Supervisor Janice Hahn said the raids have spread fear and destabilized households and businesses. In late August, there were more than 5,000 arrests in Los Angeles as part of the crackdown.

About a third of the county´s 10 million residents are foreign-born. Several cities in the region canceled their Fourth of July celebrations and summer movie nights as families stayed home due to safety concerns. Since June, the Los Angeles region has been a battleground in the Trump administration´s aggressive immigration strategy that spurred protests and the deployment of the National Guards and Marines for more than a month. ‘We have residents afraid to leave their homes, we have constituents contacting my office because their family members never came home and they don’t know if they’ve been taken by ICE or where they´ve been taken,’ Hahn said. ‘We have entire families who are destitute because their fathers or mothers have been taken from their work places and they have no way to pay their rent or put food on their table.’

Last week the five-member board voted 4-1 to put the declaration up for a vote at its regular Tuesday meeting. The sole ‘no’ vote also came from Barger, who argued that the immigration raids did not meet the criteria of an emergency and that it could be unfair to landlords. ‘I’m sure we’re going to be challenged legally,’ Barger said. The county’s eviction moratorium during the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in multiple lawsuits. Several people said they were against the emergency declaration if it would lead to an eviction moratorium during the public comment portion of Tuesday´s vote.

Landlords are ‘still reeling’ from the COVID-era freezes that cost them ‘billions of dollars in uncollected rent and prohibited annual rent increase,’ said Daniel Yukelson, CEO of the Apartment Association of Greater Los Angeles. He said housing providers are sympathetic to tenants and their family members affected by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activities. But, he said, the association isn’t aware of anyone unable to pay rent due to immigration enforcement. ‘If local jurisdictions once again allow rent payments to be deferred due to ICE enforcement activities, this will lead to the further deterioration and loss of affordable housing in our community,’ Yukelson said Monday.