The Los Angeles Police Protective League (LAPPL), which is the union representing over 8,900 LAPD officers, is demanding the resignation and criminal charges against a local official after she seemingly encouraged gang intervention against United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Cynthia Gonzalez, the vice mayor of Cudahy in the southeastern part of Los Angeles County, is purported to have posted a video on social media last week, where she allegedly urged members of the 18th Street and Florencia 13 gangs to defend their territories from ICE agents. The LAPPL claims that the video increased the danger for law enforcement personnel.
Recently, protests against ICE in Los Angeles led to almost a dozen deputies being injured when demonstrators hurled rocks, Molotov cocktails, and “high-grade pyrotechnics” at them, as reported by Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert G. Luna.
“In the last riots within the city of Los Angeles, we had 52 officers that were injured —12 that are still recovering at home from their injuries,” Mendoza said. “…And now [Mendoza’s] calling on these [gang members] as a call to action. It’s irresponsible.”
California Highway Patrol on Alameda Street looking toward the Roybal federal building to prevent protesters from coming through in Los Angeles, California, on June 9, 2025. (Carlin Still/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
After posting the video, Gonzalez was visited by FBI agents at her home and is now allegedly under federal investigation, according to federal sources.
FBI Los Angeles told Fox News they could not confirm or deny an investigation was underway, but said they condemn any call for gang violence.
In an X post on Tuesday night, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security called the comments made by Gonzalez “despicable.”
“She calls for criminal gangs — including the vicious 18th street gang — to commit violence against our brave ICE law enforcement,” the U.S. Department of Homeland Security wrote. “This kind of garbage has led to a more than 500 percent increase in assaults against our ICE law enforcement officers. Secretary Noem has been clear: If you assault a federal officer, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
Cynthia Gonzalez and the City of Cudahy did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
