Downey City Council votes to censure Trujillo over Instagram post

Councilman Mario Trujillo, center, with city attorney John Funk and city manager Roger Bradley at a 2024 meeting.

DOWNEY — The Downey City Council voted 3-1 on Wednesday to censure Councilman Mario Trujillo for a controversial Instagram post about conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

Mayor Hector Sosa called for the special meeting, accusing Trujillo of violating the council’s Code of Conduct.

In his opening remarks, Trujillo pushed back, saying the council had broken the Brown Act by coordinating on social media ahead of the vote. He requested representation by an outside attorney, to be paid for by the city.

Later, Trujillo issued a direct apology for the post.

“If I could take it back, I would,” he said. “I effed up.”

Trujillo added that his family has received death threats since the post went public. “I’ve learned my lesson,” he said.

The vote for the censure was 3-1 with Trujillo abstaining and Councilman Horacio Ortiz opposed. The resolution also stripped Trujillo of his committee assignments.

More than 50 people addressed the council during the special meeting, with most commenters condemning Trujillo’s post.

The censure carries no legal penalty but serves as a formal rebuke from Trujillo’s colleagues.