US NewsTrump says he would "arrest" Newsom over anti-ICE protests

Trump says he would "arrest" Newsom over anti-ICE protests

President Donald Trump states he would "arrest" California Governor Gavin Newsom due to the anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles.

CERES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 16: California Governor Gavin Newsom speaks during a news conference at Gemperle Orchard on April 16, 2025 in Ceres, California. Governor Gavin Newsom and California Attorney General Rob Bonta have filed a lawsuit in federal court challenging the Trump administration's use of emergency powers to enact sweeping tariffs that hurt states, consumers, and businesses. The tariffs have disrupted supply chains, increased costs for the state and Californians, and inflicted billions in damages on California’s economy, the fifth largest in the world. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
CERES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 16: California Governor Gavin Newsom speaks during a news conference at Gemperle Orchard on April 16, 2025 in Ceres, California. Governor Gavin Newsom and California Attorney General Rob Bonta have filed a lawsuit in federal court challenging the Trump administration's use of emergency powers to enact sweeping tariffs that hurt states, consumers, and businesses. The tariffs have disrupted supply chains, increased costs for the state and Californians, and inflicted billions in damages on California’s economy, the fifth largest in the world. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Images source: © GETTY | Justin Sullivan

On Saturday, as Reuters reports, Tom Homan, the Trump's administration border czar threatened to arrest anyone who is complicating immigration enforcement efforts in California, including governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Brass.

"The fear, the horror. The hell is this guy? Come after me. Arrest me. Let’s just get it over with, tough guy," answered Governor Newsom in NBC News interview, adding "The hell are they doing? These guys need to grow up. They need to stop. And we need to push back. And I’m sorry to be so clear, but that kind of bloviating is exhausting." "So, Tom, arrest me, let's go," Governor finished his statement.

On X post, Newsom added "Come and get me, tough guy ... It won’t stop me from standing up for California."

President Trump's response

"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’s done a terrible job, look — I like Gavin Newsom, he’s a nice guy but he’s grossly incompetent, everybody knows that," responded President Donald Trump to California Governor.

On his post on Truth Social, he also declared he made "a great decision" to send National Guards to Los Angeles, blaming Newsom and Bass for the situation in the city, claiming if he had not done so, "Los Angeles would have been completely obliterated."

"The very incompetent 'Governor,' ... and 'Mayor,' Karen Bass, should be saying, 'THANK YOU, PRESIDENT TRUMP, YOU ARE SO WONDERFUL. WE WOULD BE NOTHING WITHOUT YOU, SIR.' Instead, they choose to lie to the People of California and America by saying that we weren’t needed, and that these are 'peaceful protests,'" he wrote.

Source: X, Truth Social, Reuters, Bloomberg, NBC News

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