WASHINGTON / LOS ANGELES: In a sharp escalation of tensions with California, former President Donald Trump on Monday endorsed the idea of arresting Governor Gavin Newsom, who is suing the federal government over the deployment of National Guard troops to Southern California.
The dispute centers on recent immigration raids in Los Angeles that triggered days of protests, some of which turned violent. Governor Newsom called the federal deployment of the Guard “illegal” and vowed to challenge it in court, describing the move as an “unmistakable step toward authoritarianism.”
“We are suing Donald Trump,” Newsom wrote on X. “This is a manufactured crisis. He is creating fear and terror to take over a state militia and violate the U.S. Constitution.”
While California Attorney General Rob Bonta confirmed that a lawsuit had been filed, Reuters was unable to immediately verify its status. The state’s legal challenge accuses Trump of exceeding his authority under federal law, which allows Guard deployment only under specific circumstances—such as invasion, insurrection, or the inability to enforce federal law with regular forces.
Speaking to reporters outside the White House after returning from Camp David, Trump was asked whether his border enforcement advisor, Tom Homan—who has previously threatened to arrest officials obstructing immigration enforcement—should move to detain Newsom.
“I would do it if I were Tom. I think it’s great,” Trump replied. “Gavin likes the publicity, but I think it would be a great thing.”
Guard Deployed Amid Immigration Protests
U.S. Northern Command confirmed that 300 California National Guard troops were deployed to three key locations in Los Angeles. The Department of Homeland Security said their role is to protect federal buildings as immigration enforcement operations continue.
ICE officials reported at least 44 arrests tied to immigration violations during recent raids, which triggered protests across the city. Some demonstrations turned violent, with cars set ablaze and anti-ICE graffiti scrawled across government buildings. National Guard soldiers and law enforcement were seen guarding the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building, where many detainees are being held.
On Monday, crowds gathered outside Los Angeles City Hall in support of detained labor leader David Huerta, chanting “We are all David Huerta” and waving signs demanding his release.
Political Fallout and Partisan Clashes
The protests have reignited the national debate over immigration and border enforcement. Trump and his Republican allies are using the unrest to press for swift passage of his “One Big Beautiful Bill”—a sweeping legislative package that would fund border security and military expansion, cut taxes, reduce Medicaid benefits, and eliminate green-energy initiatives.
“We need the One Big, Beautiful Bill to pass ASAP!” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt posted on X. House Speaker Mike Johnson echoed the sentiment, citing the “lawlessness” in Los Angeles as justification.
But fiscal conservatives—and even Trump ally Elon Musk—have criticized the bill’s cost, warning it could deepen the federal deficit.
Newsom’s National Spotlight—and Risk
The standoff has elevated Governor Newsom’s national profile, casting him as a leading Democratic voice in opposition to Trump’s immigration agenda. In a political landscape still searching for post-election direction, the Los Angeles protests have offered Democrats a rallying point.
Still, Newsom and other Democratic leaders face a delicate balancing act. While condemning Trump’s actions, they must also address the violence linked to the protests. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass criticized the federal government’s decision to send in troops, while simultaneously urging protesters to remain peaceful.
“I don’t want people to fall into the chaos that I believe is being created by the administration completely unnecessarily,” Bass said at a Sunday news conference.
Trump, for his part, blamed local officials for downplaying the unrest. “We made a great decision in sending the National Guard to deal with the violent, instigated riots in California,” he posted on social media.
Meanwhile, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum weighed in after protesters were seen waving Mexican flags. She urged the Mexican-American community in Los Angeles to remain peaceful and avoid provocation, though she stopped short of calling for an end to the demonstrations.
The episode echoes past confrontations over civil unrest. During his first term, Trump repeatedly criticized Democratic leaders for failing to control protests, particularly during the 2020 nationwide demonstrations following the murder of George Floyd.
Now, with immigration again at the forefront, the political clash between Trump and Newsom is shaping into one of the most dramatic tests of federal and state power in recent years—setting the stage for potential legal and constitutional battles ahead.
