"Arrest me. Let's settle this, tough guy," was California Governor Gavin Newsom's bold response to the threat from border czar Tom Homan, who suggested bringing Newsom to justice for his opposition to the federal deployment of troops in Los Angeles. The exchange of words between Newsom and President Trump has become increasingly heated, with Trump expressing support for the arrest: "If I were Tom [Homan], I would do it. Gavin loves publicity, but I think it would be a great move."
Trump further commented, "He's done a terrible job. I like Gavin Newsom; he's a nice guy, but he's incredibly incompetent, and everyone knows it." In return, Newsom didn't hesitate to fire back: "The President of the United States just called for the arrest of a sitting governor. This is a day I hoped never to see in America… It's a line we cannot cross as a nation."
Earlier, Tom Homan, the former ICE director and the current "border czar," supported the idea of charging Gavin with obstruction of justice, though he later clarified that there were no immediate plans for an arrest. "No official is above the law," Homan stated on television.
The Federal Troop Deployment Controversy
Tensions have been rising since Trump's decision to deploy approximately 2,000 National Guard troops in California without the governor's consent, as a response to protests against ICE immigration raids. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass also faced criticism from Trump and Homan for opposing federal intervention.
Protests erupted in predominantly Latino neighborhoods in Los Angeles following a series of immigration raids. Trump responded by ordering the deployment of the National Guard and 700 Marines, citing Title 10 of the Armed Services Code, which allows federalization of troops under extraordinary conditions.
This action not only surprised local authorities but was also executed without invoking the Insurrection Act or formally notifying the state government. Under normal circumstances, governors maintain command over their National Guard units, even with federal funding.
Newsom labeled the maneuver as "illegal," "provocative," and an assault on state sovereignty. On social media platform X, he criticized the chaotic deployment: "The first 2,000? No food or water. Only about 300 are deployed; the rest are inactive, sitting unused in federal buildings without orders."
"This isn't about public safety. It's about pandering to the ego of a dangerous president. This is reckless. Futile. And disrespectful to our troops," he added. "The U.S. Marines serve a valuable role in this country: defending democracy. They are not political pawns. The Secretary of Defense is deploying them illegally on American streets so Trump can have a talking point for his parade this weekend. This is a blatant abuse of power. We will sue to stop it. The courts and Congress must act. The system of checks and balances is crumbling. This is a red line, and they're crossing it. WAKE UP!" he wrote in another post.
Legal Battle Over State Sovereignty
The California government has 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 states. Newsom warned that this precedent could pave the way for future arbitrary interventions: "The order he signed doesn't just apply to California. It will allow him to go to ANY STATE and do the same. We will sue."
Officially, the troops are not authorized to make arrests or disperse demonstrators but are meant to provide "logistical support" to federal agents. However, legal experts and activists warn about the risks of their involvement in incidents involving the use of force.
Trump Escalates Rhetoric
From his Truth Social platform, President Trump defended his decision. "We made a great decision to send the National Guard to deal with the violent riots instigated in California. Without it, Los Angeles would have been completely destroyed," he wrote. He lashed out at the protesters, labeling them "professional agitators and insurrectionists," stating they "should be in jail."
He also accused Newsom and Bass of "lying to the people of California" by describing the protests as peaceful. The weekend prior, Trump had declared that the city was "overrun and occupied by illegal immigrants and criminals."
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt accused Newsom of negligence: "Federal officials were attacked by violent radicals and illegal criminals."
Clash of Political Models
Beyond this specific incident, the conflict between Trump and Newsom highlights a profound ideological divide. Since 2018, California has declared itself a "sanctuary state," limiting cooperation with ICE. In 2024, the Los Angeles City Council approved an even more restrictive ordinance, preventing local resources from being used in immigration raids.
Trump has harshly criticized these policies, which he blames for a supposed "anarchy." In contrast, Newsom advocates for an approach based on social justice and civil rights. For political analysts, this new confrontation with the White House strengthens the national profile of the Democratic governor.
Gavin Newsom: From Entrepreneur to National Figure
Gavin Christopher Newsom was born in 1967 in San Francisco. He studied Political Science at Santa Clara University on 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. During his tenure, he authorized same-sex marriage, challenging state legislation. Newsom served as California's Lieutenant Governor from 2011 to 2019 and assumed the governorship that year. Since then, he has focused his administration on housing policies, environmental issues, 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 called him a "clown." Newsom responded with an emoji and a sarcastic comment: "Interesting description coming from the guy who literally locks up children like Pennywise."
Following Trump's re-election, Newsom was emphatic: "California will seek to work with the incoming president, but make no mistake: we intend to support states across the country to defend our Constitution and uphold the rule of law."
Key Questions About the Tensions Between Newsom and Trump
What sparked the conflict between Newsom and Trump?
The conflict was triggered by Trump's decision to deploy federal troops in California without the governor's consent, as a response to protests against ICE immigration raids.
Why did Newsom call the troop deployment illegal?
Newsom argued the deployment was illegal because it bypassed state authority, violated the Tenth Amendment, and was executed without notifying the state government, undermining state sovereignty.
What legal actions has California taken against the Trump administration?
California has filed a formal lawsuit against the Trump administration, arguing that the troop deployment violates constitutional limits on federal authority over states.