DHS Blasts Newsom Over Child Labor at California Pot Farms: “Why Are There Kids Working There, Gavin?”

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) isn’t pulling any punches after California Governor Gavin Newsom attempted to smear ICE agents for conducting immigration enforcement raids at illegal marijuana operations — operations that included child labor and possible human trafficking.

Newsom lashed out after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents raided a marijuana grow in Ventura County, California, where they discovered eight unaccompanied migrant children working under suspicious and exploitative conditions. The viral footage from the raid sparked outrage online — but not at the perpetrators.

In a direct rebuke to the Democratic governor, DHS posted to X (formerly Twitter), highlighting the disturbing reality of the Biden-era immigration crisis:

“The Biden administration lost ~300,000 unaccompanied children—many of these innocent children were trafficked and exploited,” the DHS post read.

“At the Ventura, California marijuana facility, [ICE] and [CBP] law enforcement rescued 8 unaccompanied migrant children from what looks like exploitation, violation of child labor laws and potentially human trafficking or smuggling.”

But instead of thanking law enforcement for saving these children, Newsom attacked them. DHS promptly fired back with a scathing question:

“Why are there children working at a marijuana facility, Gavin?”

Trump Responds with “Total Authorization” for ICE to Protect Themselves

Amid clashes between agents and far-left agitators, President Donald J. Trump weighed in from Air Force One after visiting flood-ravaged areas in Texas. He condemned the violence against federal officers and issued new marching orders for ICE and DHS personnel:

“I am on my way back from Texas, and watched in disbelief as THUGS were violently throwing rocks and bricks at ICE Officers... Tremendous damage was done to these brand new vehicles,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

The President didn’t hold back:

“I am giving Total Authorization for ICE to protect itself, just like they protect the Public. I never want to see a car carrying a Law Enforcement Officer attacked again! AUTHORIZATION IMMEDIATELY GRANTED FOR ARREST AND INCARCERATION,” he declared.

President Trump also directed DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and Border Czar Tom Homan to give ICE full authority to arrest violent agitators “using whatever means is necessary.”

ICE Under Attack—Literally

Federal authorities confirmed that raids on Glass House Farms in Camarillo and Carpinteria led to confrontations with protesters who threw projectiles at agents. Tear gas had to be deployed in response.

A report circulated by the United Farm Workers alleging that a worker died due to law enforcement action was debunked by DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, who clarified:

“This man was not in and has not been in CBP or ICE custody… [he] climbed up to the roof of a greenhouse and fell 30 feet… CBP immediately called a medivac to the scene to get him care as quickly as possible,” she told Fox News Digital.

Homan Slams the Left’s Dangerous Rhetoric

Border Czar Tom Homan placed blame squarely on the Left’s demonization of ICE agents, calling for elected officials to tone down their incendiary rhetoric before more blood is shed.

“The rhetoric against the men and women of ICE is skyrocketing, especially by members of Congress,” Homan told America’s Newsroom.

“We have senators, we have congresspeople [who] compare ICE to the Nazis, compare ICE to racists, and it just continues.”

As federal agents continue to be physically attacked for doing their jobs — while rescuing trafficked children, no less — the Biden-era policies that allowed this crisis to explode remain unchecked. Thankfully, President Trump’s decisive leadership and backing of law enforcement are drawing a clear line in the sand.