“Arrest me. Let's end this, tough guy”, this is how California Governor Gavin Newsom responded to the threat from border czar Tom Homan to take him to court for opposing the federal deployment of troops in Los Angeles.
In an increasingly heated exchange of statements, Trump expressed support for the arrest: “If I were Tom [Homan], I would do it. Gavin likes the publicity, but I think it would be something great.”
At another time, he added: “He has done a terrible job. I like Gavin Newsom; he is a good person, but he is incredibly incompetent, everyone knows that.”
Newsom replied without hesitation: “The President of the United States has just called for the arrest of a sitting governor. This is a day I hoped never to see in the United States… It is a line we cannot cross as a nation.”
Previously, the former director of ICE and current "border czar" of the Government, Tom Homan, supported the possibility of filing charges against Gavin for obstruction of justice, although he later clarified that there are no immediate plans for an arrest.
"No official is above the law,” he stated in a televised interview.
Tensions escalated following Trump’s decision to deploy around 2,000 National Guard soldiers in California without the governor's consent, in response to the protests against the immigration raids carried out by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The Mayor of Los Angeles, Karen Bass, was also targeted by Trump and Homan for her refusal of federal intervention.
The militarization of Los Angeles
The demonstrations began in predominantly Latino neighborhoods of Los Angeles following a series of raids targeting immigrants.
In response, Trump ordered the deployment of the National Guard and 700 Marines, invoking Title 10 of the U.S. Code, which allows for the federalization of troops under certain extraordinary conditions.
The measure not only surprised local authorities, but it was implemented without activating the Insurrection Law and without officially notifying the state government.
Under normal circumstances, governors retain command over their National Guard units, even if they receive federal funding.
Newsom described the maneuver as "illegal," "provocative," and an infringement on the state's sovereignty.
In X, it was reported that the deployment was chaotic: “The first 2,000? Without food or water. Only about 300 are deployed; the rest are inactive, unused, in federal buildings without orders.”
“This is not about public safety. It’s about flattering the ego of a dangerous president. This is reckless. Useless. And a disrespect to our troops,” he added.
"The U.S. Marines serve a valuable purpose for this country: defending democracy. They are not political pawns. The Secretary of Defense is illegally deploying them on U.S. streets so that Trump can have a conversation topic at his parade this weekend. It is a blatant abuse of power. We will sue to stop it. The courts and Congress must take action. The system of checks and balances is crumbling. This is a red line, and they are crossing it. WAKE UP!" he wrote in another post.
A legal battle for state sovereignty
The government of California responded with a formal lawsuit against the Trump administration, arguing that the deployment violates the Tenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which sets clear limits on federal authority over the states.
Newsom warned that this precedent could facilitate future arbitrary interventions: “The order he signed applies not only to California. It will allow him to go to ANY STATE and do the same. We will sue him.”
The troops are officially not authorized to make arrests or disperse protesters, but rather to provide "logistical support" to federal agents.
However, legal experts and activists warn about the risks of being involved in instances of the use of force.
Trump intensifies his rhetorical offensive
From his Truth Social network, President Trump defended his decision.
"We made a significant decision to send the National Guard to deal with the violent riots instigated in California. Had we not done so, Los Angeles would have been completely destroyed," he wrote.
He lashed out at the protesters, whom he described as "professional agitators and insurgents," stating that "they should be in prison."
He also accused Newsom and Bass of "lying to the people of California" by describing the protests as peaceful.
During the previous weekend, Trump had already declared that the city was “invaded and occupied by illegal immigrants and criminals.”
The White House spokesperson, Karoline Leavitt, accused Newsom of negligence: “Federal officials were attacked by violent radicals and illegal criminals.”
Clash of political models
Beyond the specific incident, the conflict between Trump and Newsom exposes a deep ideological divide.
Since 2018, California has declared itself a "sanctuary state," limiting its cooperation with ICE.
In 2024, the Los Angeles City Council approved an even more restrictive ordinance that prohibits the use of local resources in immigration raids.
Trump has harshly criticized these policies, which he blames for an alleged "anarchy."
Newsom, on the other hand, advocates for an approach based on social justice and civil rights.
For political analysts, this new tension with the White House strengthens the national profile of the Democratic governor.
Gavin Newsom: From Businessman to National Figure
Gavin Christopher Newsom was born in 1967 in San Francisco. He studied Political Science at Santa Clara University with a partial baseball scholarship. In 1992, he founded PlumpJack Winery, a wine shop that grew into a successful group of restaurants, hotels, and wineries.
He got involved in politics in 1995 as a volunteer in Mayor Willie Brown's campaign.
He was elected mayor of San Francisco in 2003, becoming the youngest in over a century.
At that stage, he authorized marriage between same-sex individuals, defying state legislation.
Newsom served as the lieutenant governor of California from 2011 to 2019 and took office as governor that same year.
Since then, he has focused his administration on housing policies, the environment, public health, and social justice. He has openly supported Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.
His relationship with Trump has been tense from the start. In 2018, the then-president referred to him as a "clown."
Newsom responded with an emoji and a biting comment: "Interesting description coming from the guy who literally locks up children like Pennywise."
After Trump's re-election, Newsom was emphatic: "California will seek to work with the incoming president, but let there be no doubt: we intend to support states across the country to defend our Constitution and uphold the rule of law."
Frequently Asked Questions about the conflict between Gavin Newsom and the Trump administration
Why did Gavin Newsom challenge the Trump administration?
Gavin Newsom challenged the Trump administration over the decision to deploy federal troops in California without his consent, in response to protests against immigration raids. Newsom viewed this action as a violation of the state’s sovereignty and a provocative and illegal act by the Trump administration.
What were Trump's reactions to Newsom's challenge?
Trump supported the idea of arresting Newsom, arguing that it would be a publicity stunt for the governor. He also criticized Newsom's management, calling him incompetent, although he acknowledged that he liked him as a person. Trump defended the deployment of troops as a necessary measure to control the unrest in Los Angeles.
What legal actions has California taken against the Trump administration?
The state of California filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, arguing that the deployment of federal troops violates the Tenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. This amendment sets clear limits on federal authority over the states, and Newsom warned that this precedent could pave the way for future arbitrary interventions in any state across the country.
What is the context of immigration raids and the role of Tom Homan?
Tom Homan, known as the "border czar," has been a staunch advocate for tough policies against illegal immigration, driven by Trump. Homan has supported the ramping up of ICE operations and stated that no official, including Newsom, is above the law. These actions are part of a broader context of raids and mass deportations carried out by the Trump administration.
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