US President Donald Trump on Monday escalated his feud with California Governor Gavin Newsom by publicly supporting the idea of Newsom’s arrest amid ongoing protests in Los Angeles over immigration enforcement. Trump’s remarks came after deploying the National Guard to the city without the governor’s consent, a move not taken by a US president in six decades.
The confrontation began when Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, warned that officials, including Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, could face arrest for allegedly obstructing federal immigration agents. Newsom responded defiantly, daring Homan to arrest him and criticizing Trump’s actions as politically motivated and illegal.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said, “I would do it if I were Tom. I think it’s great. Gavin likes the publicity, but I think it would be a great thing.” He further accused Newsom of incompetence in handling the protests, stating, “He’s done a terrible job. I like Gavin Newsom. He’s a nice guy but he’s grossly incompetent, everybody knows.”
Newsom quickly fired back, calling Trump’s comments “an unmistakable step toward authoritarianism.” He posted on social media, “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. I don’t care if you’re a Democrat or a Republican—this is a line we cannot cross as a nation.”
The dispute intensified after Trump ordered hundreds of Marines into Los Angeles following the National Guard deployment. Newsom announced plans to sue the Trump administration, arguing that the federalization of the National Guard was illegal and that local authorities could have managed the protests without military intervention.
As the political standoff continues, Newsom has accused Trump of exploiting the situation for political gain, while Trump maintains that strong federal action is necessary to restore order in Los Angeles.
