City of Lancaster Issues Statement on Federal Activity at City Hall; Says Operations Not Disrupted

LANCASTER, CA — The City of Lancaster released a statement on social media Thursday April 16, 2026 addressing public questions about federal law enforcement activity at City Hall on April 15.

According to the City, “City Hall as a whole was not searched, raided, or shut down.” Officials said the activity was “narrow in scope and did not disrupt City operations, public services, or access to the building.”

“Throughout the day, City Hall remained open and operational. Staff continued their work, and members of the public were able to access services without interruption,” the statement read.

City Manager Trolis Niebla addressed the nature of the activity:

“I want to clarify that the activity inside City Hall did not involve city staff. The executed search warrants were limited to two councilmember offices. The law enforcement activity at City Hall indicates it is not related to the activities of City Staff, routine conduct of City business or the delivery of services to residents. The City will continue to cooperate with federal authorities when asked and ensure that normal operations continue.”

Niebla added: “As this matter involves federal law enforcement, the City will defer any additional questions regarding the investigation itself to the appropriate federal authorities.”

The City did not identify which councilmembers or individuals offices were involved. The statement noted the City remains “committed to maintaining service continuity and providing residents with accurate information about City operations.”

Federal authorities have not publicly commented on the nature of the investigation. Search warrants are issued by a federal judge upon a showing of probable cause and do not indicate that charges have been or will be filed.

This is a developing story. The City said it will defer questions about the investigation to federal authorities. This article will be updated as official information becomes available._