On Monday, President Trump expressed his support for the arrest of California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) after a tense exchange over protests in Los Angeles related to immigration raids.
The remarks came after Newsom publicly dared White House border czar, Tom Homan, to arrest him, escalating the ongoing clash between Newsom and the Trump administration over the handling of protests.
Trump’s Comments on Arresting Newsom
Upon returning from Camp David, Trump was asked about the possibility of Newsom being arrested following his challenge to the administration.
Trump responded, “I would do it if I were Tom,” referring to Homan, his border czar. Trump also remarked, “I think it’s great. Gavin likes the publicity, but I think it would be a great thing,” further criticizing Newsom as “grossly incompetent.”
Despite the critical comments, Trump claimed, “Look, I like Gavin Newsom. He’s a nice guy,” but then continued with his criticism of the governor’s handling of the immigration-related protests.
Newsom’s Swift Response
In a quick and strong rebuttal, Governor Newsom took to social media, calling Trump’s suggestion an “unmistakable step toward authoritarianism.” He wrote, “The President of the United States just called for the arrest of a sitting Governor.
This is a day I hoped I would never see in America.” Newsom emphasized that whether Democrat or Republican, such a threat to arrest a sitting governor was a dangerous line for the country to cross.
The Background of the Clash: Immigration and Protests
The conflict between the Trump administration and Newsom intensified amid protests in Los Angeles, which began in response to recent immigration raids. These protests, over time, became increasingly chaotic, with instances of violence and clashes between law enforcement and demonstrators.
The White House has used images of burning vehicles and confrontations to argue that the situation has escalated and that federal intervention was necessary. However, Newsom and other California officials argue that the decision to deploy the National Guard without consulting the state governor made the situation worse.
Newsom’s Legal Action and Defiance
Newsom responded by announcing that California would sue the Trump administration for deploying the National Guard to Los Angeles without his consent. The governor and other state leaders have argued that the National Guard’s presence was unnecessary and only inflamed the already tense situation that local law enforcement was handling effectively.
During a television appearance, Newsom was defiant, saying, “Come after me, arrest me. Let’s just get it over with, tough guy, you know? I don’t give a damn. But I care about my community. I care about this community,” indicating his commitment to standing against federal overreach.
Tensions Between Trump and Newsom
The verbal sparring between Trump and Newsom over the National Guard deployment has been part of a broader conflict between the governor and the administration.
Trump has consistently accused Newsom of mishandling the situation in Los Angeles, while Newsom maintains that local law enforcement was capable of managing the protests without federal intervention.
The White House has criticized state and local officials for not addressing the protests more effectively and has threatened to arrest those who they claim are violating the law.
Trump’s Comments on the Protests and “Insurrectionists”
Trump continued his harsh rhetoric on Monday, referring to some of the protestors as “professional agitators” and “insurrectionists.”
He argued that the individuals causing the unrest were “bad people” who should be jailed. However, when asked about the possibility of invoking the Insurrection Act, Trump did not respond to the question.