Senator Wiener Responds Masked Border Patrol Agents’ Attempt to Intimidate Lawmakers at Newsom Press Conference

SACRAMENTO – Masked and armed Border Patrol agents appeared at a press conference Governor Newsom held today with legislators to discuss redistricting. The event had no relation to immigration issues, and the presence of the agents appeared designed to intimidate the Trump Administration’s political opposition.

Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) is authoring SB 627, the No Secret Police Act to ban law enforcement officials at all levels from wearing masks while on duty, with some exceptions for health and safety. He issued the following statement in response.

“Today Governor Newsom, legislators, and community leaders held a press conference in Los Angeles to announce California’s redistricting process to counter the rigged redistricting process Trump and his cronies initiated in Texas. Trump’s Border Patrol thugs showed up with ski masks. This situation — California leaders rallying for democracy and Trump’s secret police showing up to intimidate people — encapsulates exactly where our country is right now. I’m proud of California for standing up for our democracy, and I look forward to voting for the redistricting plan next week. In addition, I’m authoring legislation (Senate Bill 627) to ban this kind of extreme masking by law enforcement, including federal agents. I look forward to passing that bill and sending it to the Governor.”

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