Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao made her first public remarks on Monday following a dramatic FBI raid on her home last week. Standing at a podium, Thao emphatically declared her innocence, stating, “I want to be crystal clear. I have done nothing wrong.” She assured the public that the investigation is not targeting her and expressed confidence that she would not face any charges.
The FBI raid, which took place four days prior, saw agents carrying boxes out of Thao’s residence, which she shares with her son and partner. The raid also included searches of two other properties owned by the Duong family, who are politically influential and own the recycling company Cal Waste Solutions. This company has been under scrutiny for campaign contributions to Thao and other city officials.
Thao expressed concern over the timing of the raid, noting that it occurred just days after a mayoral recall campaign against her had gathered enough signatures to qualify for the ballot, likely in November. She questioned the motives behind the raid, suggesting that it was orchestrated by wealthy individuals from San Francisco and Piedmont who are determined to see her removed from office.
“I want to know why the day following the qualification of a recall election, funded by some of the richest people in the Bay Area, seemed like the right day to execute a warrant,” Thao said.
The recall campaign against Thao has been driven by criticisms of her handling of public safety and economic issues. Critics argue that conditions have worsened under her leadership and have also taken issue with her decision to fire Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong.
During the raid, Thao and her son were at home. She recounted the fear she felt when federal agents arrived, initially thinking they were there to protect her. “It’s hard to imagine now, but at the time my first thought was that the FBI was at my door to help me, to protect me,” she said.
Thao’s attorney, Tony Brass, who resigned shortly after the press conference, had previously stated that Thao was not the target of the investigation and that she was willing to cooperate fully with federal authorities. Brass’s resignation came after Thao held the press conference without informing him.
Thao, who took office in 2023 and is the first Hmong mayor of Oakland, spoke emotionally about her background and the challenges she has faced. “When my parents came to this country fleeing genocide, they never could have imagined that their daughter would one day be mayor of Oakland. I am my ancestors’ wildest dream,” she said.
She also linked the FBI raid to the recall effort, questioning the involvement of media outlets like Fox News and Breitbart, which she accused of shaping a narrative against her. “I want to know how the TV cameras knew to show up on my sleepy residential street so early in the morning to capture footage of the raid,” she said.
Thao criticized the recall campaign as a waste of time and resources, suggesting that it was driven by a small group of wealthy individuals intent on removing her from office. She also questioned the FBI’s probable cause for the raid, noting that she was not given any notice or the opportunity for a conversation with authorities.
“I know that for sure because former elected officials are sitting safely in their houses in the hills right now with campaign finance violations piling up, mountains of evidence that prove actual wrongdoing,” Thao said. “Their front doors remain intact, their reputations preserved, their innocence presumed until proven guilty. They will never face this indignity. This I know for sure because I was born poor in America, and that teaches you a lot about the world from day one.”
Despite the turmoil, Thao vowed to continue her work as mayor, focusing on the city’s recovery and addressing the recent surge in crime. She expressed her commitment to holding those responsible for the violence accountable and ensuring the safety of Oakland residents.
“My heart goes out to all of those who are battling injuries, their families, and our whole city,” Thao said. “I will not be bullied, I will not be disparaged, and I will not be threatened out of this office.”
Thao’s defiant stance and emotional appeal highlighted her determination to remain in office and continue her work for the city of Oakland, despite the challenges and controversies she faces.
Source: FOX 2, Oaklandside, KRON 4, The Associated Press, ABC7 News
