Democrat Vice Mayor Under FBI Probe After Calling Gangs to Combat ICE

Paul Riverbank, 6/26/2025In a deeply troubling development, Cudahy Vice Mayor Cynthia Gonzalez faces intense scrutiny and federal investigation after appearing to solicit gang intervention against immigration officials. This unprecedented situation raises serious questions about the boundaries of political speech and responsible governance in an increasingly polarized environment.

The Political Powder Keg: When Local Politics Meets Gang Violence

In what might be described as a perfect storm of political recklessness, Cudahy Vice Mayor Cynthia Gonzalez has sparked a firestorm that reaches far beyond her small Los Angeles County city. Her social media call to street gangs – specifically naming the notorious 18th Street and Florencia 13 – represents a dangerous precedent in local governance.

I've covered politics for three decades, but rarely have I seen such a brazen breach of public trust. Let's be clear: This isn't merely about poor judgment on social media. When an elected official appears to solicit gang intervention against federal law enforcement, we've entered uncharted territory.

The video – which Gonzalez posted, then hastily deleted – showed her asking "where all the cholos are at in Los Angeles!" It's the kind of statement that might sound like casual bravado, but carries deadly serious implications. These aren't neighborhood watch groups she's addressing – they're organized criminal enterprises with blood on their hands.

The response from law enforcement was swift and unequivocal. The Los Angeles Police Protective League didn't mince words, and they shouldn't have. These gangs' histories speak for themselves – Officer Filberto Cuesta's murder in '98, Officer Fernando Arroyos gunned down just last year. Each name represents not just a statistic, but a family destroyed by gang violence.

What's particularly troubling is Cudahy's tepid response. Their carefully worded statement – distancing themselves without condemning the vice mayor's actions – reads like a masterclass in political fence-sitting. Meanwhile, federal authorities aren't taking chances. The FBI's involvement suggests they're treating this as more than just inflammatory rhetoric.

I spoke with several former gang unit officers while researching this piece. Their consensus? Gonzalez's words could have real-world consequences. "When you're dealing with organized crime," one veteran detective told me, "even casual encouragement can be interpreted as a green light for violence."

Here's the broader concern: This incident doesn't exist in a vacuum. It's symptomatic of a growing tendency to treat law enforcement operations as political theater. Whether it's grandstanding about immigration enforcement or making light of gang violence, the end result is the same – compromised public safety.

The calls for Gonzalez's resignation are growing louder, and they're justified. But this should also prompt a larger discussion about the responsibilities of local officials. When did it become acceptable to play political games with public safety?

As this story continues to unfold, one thing is certain: The intersection of gang violence and local politics is a dangerous crossroads. Gonzalez may have deleted her video, but its implications will echo long after the social media storm has passed.

Paul Riverbank is a political analyst and former editor at The Metropolitan Daily. His upcoming book "Power & Consequences" examines the changing landscape of local politics.

The Political Powder Keg: When Local Politics Meets Gang ViolenceIn what might be described as a perfect storm of political recklessness, Cudahy Vice Mayor Cynthia Gonzalez has sparked a firestorm that reaches far beyond her small Los Angeles County city. Her social media call to street gangs – specifically naming the notorious 18th Street and Florencia 13 – represents a dangerous precedent in local governance.I've covered politics for three decades, but rarely have I seen such a brazen breach of public trust. Let's be clear: This isn't merely about poor judgment on social media. When an elected official appears to solicit gang intervention against federal law enforcement, we've entered uncharted territory.The video – which Gonzalez posted, then hastily deleted – showed her asking "where all the cholos are at in Los Angeles!" It's the kind of statement that might sound like casual bravado, but carries deadly serious implications. These aren't neighborhood watch groups she's addressing – they're organized criminal enterprises with blood on their hands.The response from law enforcement was swift and unequivocal. The Los Angeles Police Protective League didn't mince words, and they shouldn't have. These gangs' histories speak for themselves – Officer Filberto Cuesta's murder in '98, Officer Fernando Arroyos gunned down just last year. Each name represents not just a statistic, but a family destroyed by gang violence.What's particularly troubling is Cudahy's tepid response. Their carefully worded statement – distancing themselves without condemning the vice mayor's actions – reads like a masterclass in political fence-sitting. Meanwhile, federal authorities aren't taking chances. The FBI's involvement suggests they're treating this as more than just inflammatory rhetoric.I spoke with several former gang unit officers while researching this piece. Their consensus? Gonzalez's words could have real-world consequences. "When you're dealing with organized crime," one veteran detective told me, "even casual encouragement can be interpreted as a green light for violence."Here's the broader concern: This incident doesn't exist in a vacuum. It's symptomatic of a growing tendency to treat law enforcement operations as political theater. Whether it's grandstanding about immigration enforcement or making light of gang violence, the end result is the same – compromised public safety.The calls for Gonzalez's resignation are growing louder, and they're justified. But this should also prompt a larger discussion about the responsibilities of local officials. When did it become acceptable to play political games with public safety?As this story continues to unfold, one thing is certain: The intersection of gang violence and local politics is a dangerous crossroads. Gonzalez may have deleted her video, but its implications will echo long after the social media storm has passed.Paul Riverbank is a political analyst and former editor at The Metropolitan Daily. His upcoming book "Power & Consequences" examines the changing landscape of local politics.