President Donald Trump and California Gov. Gavin Newsom are sharply at odds as protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement continue in Los Angeles — and both are framing their confrontation as not only about the protests but also in terms of politics, some of which are appearing in ways they’ve dealt with before.
On Monday, the president said it would be a “great thing” if border czar Tom Homan arrested Newsom; In response, the California governor fired back that the comment is an “unmistakable step toward authoritarianism.”
Asked on Monday afternoon what crime Newsom has committed to warrant his arrest, Trump said the governor’s “primary crime is running for governor because he’s done such a bad job.” Newsom responded on X, “Donald Trump admits he will arrest a sitting governor simply because he ran for office.”
The last state leader arrested was Rod Blagojevich (D) – Illinois Governor (2002–2009) on charges of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, solicitation of bribery and attempts to sell the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Barack Obama for personal financial gain.
He was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison (2011).
With the protests, Trump, who has characterized them as “violent, insurrectionist mobs” and “Gavin Newscum inspired Riots,” has deployed National Guard members to Los Angeles. Newsom has asked the administration to rescind the deployment and said Monday that he is suing the Trump administration, claiming Trump illegally federalized the National Guard.
But Trump is not only criticizing the protesters — he has also criticized the leaders of the state and the city, their framing political leadership as failures.
