The feud between the White House and California escalated dramatically on Monday, with President Trump declaring his support for the arrest of Governor Gavin Newsom. The statement followed a weekend of volatile protests in Los Angeles against federal immigration raids, the deployment of the National Guard, and a direct challenge from Newsom to the administration’s “border czar,” Tom Homan, who in turn has accused NBC News of misrepresenting his statements.
Returning to the White House from Camp David on Monday, President Trump was asked by reporters if he believed Homan should follow through on suggestions to arrest Governor Newsom for allegedly obstructing federal law.
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“I would do it if I were Tom,” the President responded. “I think it’s great. Gavin likes the publicity, but I think it would be a great thing.” Trump went on to characterize the California governor, saying, “Look, I like Gavin Newsom. He’s a nice guy. But he’s grossly incompetent.”
The controversy ignited over the weekend as protests erupted in Los Angeles following a series of raids by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that resulted in the arrest of over 100 individuals, including alleged drug traffickers and gang members. Some demonstrations turned violent, with reports of burning cars, Molotov cocktails, and property defacement with anti-ICE slogans.
In response to the escalating unrest, President Trump deployed 2,000 National Guard soldiers to Los Angeles on Saturday, a move that drew swift condemnation from both Governor Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who argued it inflamed the situation.
READ: Border Czar Tom Homan vs. California Gov. Newsom: “Arrest Me, Tough Guy!”
The focus then turned to Tom Homan, the administration’s border czar. In an interview with NBC News on Sunday, Homan warned that any government official could face federal charges for obstructing immigration enforcement. Following the interview, Newsom issued a fiery dare to Homan during a separate television appearance.
“Come after me, arrest me. Let’s just get it over with, tough guy,” Newsom stated. “I don’t give a damn. But I care about my community… That kind of bloviating is disgusting. So Tom, arrest me. Let’s go.”
However, on Monday, Homan accused NBC News of producing a “dishonest” report and taking his words “out of context.”
“I’m not biting on that. The NBC reporter interviewed me very dishonest[ly],” Homan said, claiming a short clip from a 20-minute interview misrepresented their conversation. “I never threatened to arrest Governor Newsom, so I’m not biting off of that. That report is dishonest.”
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Homan clarified that his comments were about protesters who “cross the line” into violence or illegally concealing immigrants. Regarding Newsom and Bass, Homan said he told NBC News’ Jacob Soboroff, “they haven’t crossed the line, but no one is above the law either. If they commit a crime, we certainly will ask for prosecution.”
NBC News has stood by its reporting, with “Morning Joe” host Jonathan Lemire stating that the network maintains Homan had threatened arrest “for immigration interference.”
The escalating rhetoric highlights the deep division between the Trump administration and California officials over immigration policy and the handling of civil unrest.
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While the White House points to the violence as justification for a strong federal response, California leaders maintain that local law enforcement was capable of managing the situation before the National Guard’s arrival.
Governor Newsom has announced that the state sued the Trump administration for deploying the troops without his consent.
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