FBI Investigating Local Official Following Social Media Post
Cynthia Gonzalez, the vice mayor of Cudahy, California, is now under federal scrutiny after a controversial video she posted to social media prompted backlash from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and reportedly triggered an FBI investigation. The now-deleted clip appeared to urge gang members in Los Angeles to confront federal immigration officers, a move officials say could incite violence against law enforcement.
In the video, Gonzalez directly called out members of notorious gangs 18th Street and Florencia 13, questioning their absence during recent immigration enforcement actions in Los Angeles County. “Not for nothing, but I want to know where all the cholos are at in Los Angeles,” she said. “18th Street, Florencia — Where's the leadership at? Because you guys are all about territory… And now that your hood's being invaded by the biggest gang there is, there ain’t a peep out of you.”
EXCLUSIVE: Per federal sources, the vice mayor of Cudahy, a city in southeast LA County, is under FBI investigation after she allegedly posted a video to social media in which she appears to call for 18th Street & Florencia 13 gang members in LA to defend their territory from… pic.twitter.com/afJfxeSCBb
— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) June 24, 2025
She went further, urging gang leadership to rally their members: “Don’t be trying to claim no block, no nothing, if you're not showing up right now trying to help out and organize.”
Though the video was quickly taken down, its impact spread rapidly. According to Fox News national correspondent Bill Melugin, Gonzalez later posted that the FBI had visited her home and that she was now seeking legal representation.
Additionally, last month, UCLA hired Gonzalez as their new “Director of the Principal Leadership Institute”, describing her as a leader in “educational equity and social justice”. The LA Times also previously endorsed her as the “best pick” for LAUSD school board. pic.twitter.com/wvzyPq0Uve
— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) June 24, 2025
Federal officials reacted sharply. DHS condemned Gonzalez’s comments as “despicable,” stating the rhetoric directly contributes to rising threats against officers. “This kind of garbage has led to a more than 500 percent increase in assaults against our ICE law enforcement officers,” DHS said in a statement.
The incident raises serious questions about the conduct of elected officials and their responsibility to avoid language that could be interpreted as incitement. Gonzalez, who holds a prominent role in a city just southeast of Los Angeles, has not issued a formal apology or statement since the reported FBI contact.
The comments made by the Vice Mayor of Cudahy, CA, Cynthia Gonzalez, are despicable. She calls for criminal gangs – including the vicious 18th street gang—to commit violence against our brave ICE law enforcement.
This kind of garbage has led to a more than 500 percent increase… pic.twitter.com/c7yX0xB5o7
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) June 25, 2025