A San Antonio City Council candidate is under federal investigation after allegedly calling for the killing of ICE agents in a social media post Monday night, prompting an immediate response from the Department of Homeland Security.
BREAKING: We are with hundreds of federal agents and military as a massive federal immigration enforcement operation is underway in the MacArthur Park area of the sanctuary city of Los Angeles, an area with heavy MS-13 influence. Mayor Bass has demanded raids stop, Feds respond… pic.twitter.com/g4osPOL6mr
— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) July 7, 2025
The candidate, identified as University of Texas at San Antonio student Matthew Gauna, reportedly posted the violent message on X (formerly Twitter) following news coverage of a large federal immigration raid at Los Angeles’ MacArthur Park.
The raid, led by federal agents and Border Patrol officers, drew national attention after Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass attempted to intervene and demanded the operation be halted. According to Fox News reporter Bill Melugin, Bass confronted agents on-site and demanded to speak to the person in charge. Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino firmly rebuffed her.
BREAKING: LA Mayor Karen Bass just arrived on scene. She is speaking with Border Patrol. pic.twitter.com/3ibCu5uLKf
— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) July 7, 2025
“I don’t work for Karen Bass. Better get used to us now, ‘cause this is going to be normal very soon. We will go anywhere, anytime we want in Los Angeles,” Bovino reportedly told Melugin.
Shortly afterward, an X account appearing to belong to Gauna replied to Melugin’s report with a violent call to action:
“And they will get shot by the Los Angeles public. I wanna see a few dead ICE agents Los Angeles! Don’t let me down,” the post read.
The message drew swift attention from Homeland Security officials. DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin responded publicly to Gauna’s post, writing:
“We’ll see you soon….”
Law enforcement sources have confirmed to Fox News that DHS and federal investigators are now tracking the origin of the account and determining whether criminal charges, including incitement to violence against federal officers, will be pursued. Threats against federal law enforcement personnel are taken seriously and may be prosecuted under both state and federal statutes.
🚨 “They need to leave and they need to leave right now!” @MayorOfLA @KarenBassLA arrives at MacArthur Park as federal agents raid the area.
She demands to speak to the person in charge and is given a cell phone to speak with leadership.
Video via @FOXLA’s @sdprod 🚨 pic.twitter.com/uKyv0EgyAT
— Elex Michaelson (@Elex_Michaelson) July 7, 2025
Calls for violence against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have surged in recent years, particularly in cities with “sanctuary” policies that obstruct federal immigration enforcement efforts. However, direct threats by political candidates are rare and carry potentially severe legal consequences.
San Antonio City Council candidate calls for the killing of @ICEgov law enforcement officers in Los Angeles.
Depraved.
We’ll see you soon, @gauna_matty_5th. https://t.co/TVcQeM4zba pic.twitter.com/cMhtzHSPrV
— Tricia McLaughlin (@TriciaOhio) July 8, 2025