Trump Responds Boldly to Newsom's Challenge: 'I Would' Arrest Homan
Trump threatens arrest of Gov. Newsom over ICE issues, labeling protesters as 'professional agitators' who deserve jail.
President Donald Trump intensified tensions with California government leaders on Monday after indicating he would support the arrest of Governor Gavin Newsom if state officials continued to obstruct federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations. The president’s remarks came during a brief exchange with reporters as he arrived at the White House, following days of large-scale demonstrations and unrest in Los Angeles tied to federal immigration enforcement actions.
When asked directly whether ICE’s Border Czar Tom Homan should respond to a challenge from Newsom to arrest him, Trump replied, “I would do it if I were Tom... I think it’s great. Gavin likes the publicity. But I do think it would be a great thing. He’s done a terrible job. I like Gavin Newsom. He’s a nice guy, but he’s grossly incompetent. Everybody knows.”
The president’s comments followed another night of violence and widespread protests in Los Angeles, where anti-ICE demonstrators clashed with law enforcement. Authorities reported incidents of projectiles being thrown at officers, vandalism, and fires set to American flags and vehicles. In response, Trump ordered the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles County in an effort to restore order, marking a significant escalation in the administration’s handling of ongoing civil unrest related to immigration issues.
Trump also sought to distinguish between peaceful protesters and individuals he characterized as “professional agitators” and “insurrectionists.” He stated, “The people that are causing the problem are professional agitators. They’re insurrectionists. They’re bad people. They should be in jail.”
Governor Newsom responded swiftly, posting on social media that the president’s remarks represented a serious breach of democratic norms. “The President of the United States just called for the arrest of a sitting Governor. This is a day I hoped I would never see in America. I don’t care if you’re a Democrat or a Republican this is a line we cannot cross as a nation — this is an unmistakable step toward authoritarianism,” Newsom wrote.
Tom Homan, who oversees ICE operations along the border, clarified in interviews that there had been no formal discussion about arresting Governor Newsom. Homan emphasized that while “no one’s above the law,” his primary focus was on individuals who physically interfered with ICE officers or obstructed federal operations. “You can protest; you get your First Amendment rights. But when you cross that line, you put hands on an ICE officer, or you destroy property... that’s a crime, and the Trump administration is not going to tolerate it.”
The mounting conflict arrives amid fierce debate over the Trump administration’s immigration policies and the limits of state versus federal authority. Democratic officials in California have vocally opposed recent ICE raids and the federal deployment of troops, expressing concern over the potential for further violence. With both sides appearing entrenched, Monday’s developments signal a potential flashpoint in the continuing national debate over immigration enforcement and executive power.
