In a sharp escalation of political rivalry, President Donald Trump has called for the arrest of California Governor Gavin Newsom, claiming it would be a “great thing” if border enforcement chief Tom Homan took action against the governor. This public spat comes as protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) continue to erupt in Los Angeles, intensifying their already contentious relationship.
Trump’s remarks were met with immediate rebuttal from Newsom, who labeled the president’s comment as a move toward authoritarianism. When interviewed by ABC News regarding any actual crimes Newsom may have committed, Trump dismissed the question, stating that Newsom’s “primary crime is running for governor because he’s done such a bad job.” Newsom countered on social media, asserting, “Donald Trump admits he will arrest a sitting governor simply because he ran for office.”
The ongoing protests have led Trump to describe demonstrators as “violent, insurrectionist mobs” and referred to them as “Gavin Newscum inspired Riots.” In response to escalating tensions, Trump has deployed National Guard members to Los Angeles, while Newsom has requested the administration to withdraw them, announcing his intention to file a lawsuit against Trump for allegedly federalizing the National Guard illegally.
Trump has not limited his criticism to the protesters, also targeting the Democratic leadership in California. On his social media platform, he chastised Newsom and LA Mayor Karen Bass, stating, “The very incompetent ‘Governor,’ Gavin Newscum, and ‘Mayor,’ Karen Bass, should be saying, ‘THANK YOU, PRESIDENT TRUMP, YOU ARE SO WONDERFUL. WE WOULD BE NOTHING WITHOUT YOU, SIR.'” He accused them of misleading the public about the true nature of the protests.
This conflict allows Trump to showcase action on immigration—a central issue in his preparation for the upcoming 2024 campaign, where he has maintained a focus on border security. A recent Marquette Law School poll revealed that Trump received positive or neutral job approval ratings on immigration matters.
Newsom has been vocal in accusing the U.S. administration of stirring tensions for political advantage, stating, “They want a spectacle. They want the violence. They think this is good for them politically.” He has since launched multiple attacks against Trump on social media.
The White House responded to inquiries about the escalating situation, with spokeswoman Abigail Jackson stating, “Gavin Newsom’s feckless leadership is directly responsible for the lawless riots and violent attacks on law enforcement in Los Angeles. Instead of writing fundraising emails meant to score political points with his left-wing base, Newsom should focus on protecting Americans by restoring law and order to his state.”
The animosity between Newsom and Trump is longstanding, though they had a brief period of cordiality earlier this year during Trump’s visit to California after the devastating wildfires. Their relationship soured again when Newsom criticized the president’s policies, including a notable ad targeting Trump’s tariff strategy.
Recently, Trump announced potential “large scale fines” on California and threatened to cut federal funding for state projects in response to developments he opposed, furthering tensions between the two. Meanwhile, Newsom’s profile has been rising nationally, spurred by speculation about a presidential run in 2028.
As the situation unfolds in Los Angeles, it has placed Newsom back into the national conversation surrounding immigration and law enforcement, compelling him to respond to Trump’s remarks, stating, “This is a day I hoped I would never see in America… this is a line we cannot cross as a nation.”