Tensions between Governor Gavin Newsom and President Donald Trump intensified over the weekend, culminating in accusations of deceit and overreach. After months of a tentative truce following January’s destructive wildfires in Los Angeles, Trump dispatched the California National Guard to the city to address immigration enforcement protests, a move that Newsom vehemently opposed.
Newsom’s explosive response labeled Trump a ‘dictator’ and a ‘stone cold liar’, particularly criticizing the president for allegedly misrepresenting their discussions. This outburst echoes the period following the November election, when Newsom seemed poised for a national leadership role in opposition to a second Trump administration. Just days after Trump’s re-election victory, Newsom announced a special legislative session aimed at allocating funds for legal challenges against federal actions.
“Many of you called me out as, ‘It’s too extreme. Shouldn’t you be working with Donald Trump during his transition?’ when I called that special session,” Newsom recounted during an interview with Fox LA. “We knew something would happen. But I gotta say, I never expected Donald Trump to do this.”
In a move to energize his supporters, Newsom sent out a fundraising email on Sunday morning highlighting the deployment of troops. This bold stance, while rallying his liberal base, also exposes the governor and the state to potential backlash from the federal government.
Democratic strategist Matt Rodriguez remarked on the challenge of confronting Trump, noting the president’s inclination to retaliate fiercely. “I just haven’t seen someone come out aggressive against Trump where it works. It’s a little bit like getting into a brick fight with the owner of the brickyard,” Rodriguez stated.
Amid the growing conflict, Trump indicated on Monday that he would support arresting Newsom for his handling of the protests. “I would do it,” he told reporters at the White House. “Gavin likes the publicity, but I think it would be a great thing. He’s done a terrible job. Look, I like Gavin Newsom, he’s a nice guy, but he’s grossly incompetent.”
The White House did not respond to inquiries regarding Newsom’s criticisms, potential impacts on federal aid for wildfire recovery, or Trump’s future relations with the governor. Just four months prior, the two had appeared amicable during Trump’s visit to assess wildfire damage in Los Angeles, where they shared a warm greeting.
However, the cordiality did not endure. Newsom’s legal actions against Trump’s new tariffs in April signaled a shift from cooperation to more confrontational tactics. As tensions escalated, Trump reverted to using derogatory nicknames for Newsom, which intensified in recent weeks amid a series of protests in Los Angeles.
The public confrontation reached new heights this past weekend as Newsom unleashed some of his sharpest criticisms of Trump, labeling the federalization of the National Guard as authoritarian and asserting that Trump was trying to distract from his ineffective presidency by inciting chaos.
Newsom’s office maintained a stream of critical commentary on social media following the weekend’s events, while the governor downplayed the risks of provoking Trump. “Poking the bear? Are you kidding?” he argued. “You mean standing up for principles, standing up for honor and decency, standing up for the rule of law. Poking the bear? Come on.”
Political analyst Dan Schnur speculated that Trump might leverage this confrontation to deny aid and further antagonize California amid a troublesome news cycle. He noted that Newsom’s fierce opposition could enhance his stature within the Democratic Party as he eyes a 2028 presidential run. “Newsom is daring Trump to arrest him,” Schnur commented.
However, prolonged unrest in Los Angeles poses significant risks for Newsom’s political image. Rodriguez cautioned that escalating clashes between law enforcement and protesters could undermine the moderate reputation Newsom is attempting to cultivate. “There’s a ticking time bomb,” he said. “Chaos is just never a good slogan for an elected official, no matter the reason.”
Despite the unfolding turmoil, Newsom attempted to distance himself from violence, condemning property destruction and expressing appreciation for the National Guard’s role. He even extended an offer to collaborate with federal authorities on immigration enforcement, stating, “I am not sitting here arguing for criminals in our backyard. Of course we believe in immigration rules and laws.”