Merced County Sheriff Rejects Newsom's Call for Local Probe of Federal Agents

Sheriff Vern Warnke says he already has authority to investigate any potential wrongdoing by federal law enforcement in his county.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 1:31am

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Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta have urged local law enforcement to investigate potential crimes committed by federal agencies, such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol, following two deadly shootings involving those agencies in Minnesota. However, Merced County Sheriff Vern Warnke has rejected the governor's directive, saying he already has the authority to investigate any federal agents operating in his county and that Newsom and Bonta's statement was politically motivated and intended to "incite" something.

Why it matters

The clash between state and federal law enforcement highlights ongoing tensions over jurisdiction and oversight, particularly in the wake of high-profile incidents involving federal agents. Newsom's directive aims to assert California's authority to investigate potential wrongdoing by federal agencies, but local sheriffs like Warnke argue they already have the power to do so and don't need state-level intervention.

The details

In a statement, Newsom and Bonta said they are making this announcement 'in light of the federal government's refusal to cooperate with state and local investigations' after federal officers were accused of killing citizens Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Minnesota. However, Warnke said he was 'appalled' by the press release, arguing that he already knows his legal rights and doesn't need the governor or attorney general telling him how to do his job. Warnke said the tone of the statement was meant to 'incite' something and was politically motivated, rather than focused on keeping the community safe and peaceful.

  • On January 28, 2026, Governor Newsom and Attorney General Bonta released a statement urging local law enforcement to investigate potential crimes committed by federal agencies.

The players

Gavin Newsom

The Governor of California who, along with the state's Attorney General, issued a directive for local law enforcement to investigate potential crimes committed by federal agencies like ICE and Border Patrol.

Rob Bonta

The Attorney General of California who, along with Governor Newsom, issued a directive for local law enforcement to investigate potential crimes committed by federal agencies.

Vern Warnke

The Sheriff of Merced County, California, who rejected Governor Newsom's directive, saying he already has the authority to investigate any federal agents operating in his county.

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What they’re saying

“Governor, I don't need any help telling me how to do my job.”

— Vern Warnke, Merced County Sheriff

“First and foremost, let us do our job, Governor, Attorney General. Neither one of you have done law enforcement. Okay? So, stay out of our business. We already know what legal rights we have.”

— Vern Warnke, Merced County Sheriff

“Trump Administration officials have repeatedly lied to the American people. Given what has happened in Minnesota, we cannot outsource our fundamental duty to protect Californians by simply accepting federal narratives. Especially when a fatal shooting occurs, no one should be allowed to rush in, seize evidence, and control the narrative before state and local law enforcement have lawful access.”

— Gavin Newsom

What’s next

The Merced County Sheriff's Office will continue to monitor any potential wrongdoing by federal agents operating in the county and will investigate any incidents as needed, regardless of Newsom and Bonta's directive.

The takeaway

This clash between state and local law enforcement highlights the ongoing tensions over jurisdiction and oversight, particularly when it comes to high-profile incidents involving federal agencies. While Newsom and Bonta aim to assert California's authority, local sheriffs like Warnke argue they already have the power to investigate federal agents and don't need state-level intervention, raising questions about the balance of power between different law enforcement entities.