California Governor Gavin Newsom responded defiantly to threats of arrest from Trump administration officials amid tensions over recent immigration raids in Los Angeles. Tom Homan, designated as Trump’s “border czar,” stated that federal immigration operations would continue despite the backlash from Democratic officials, hinting at potential arrests for those obstructing law enforcement, including Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. However, Homan acknowledged that no actions against them had yet occurred.
In interviews, Newsom dismissed Homan’s threats, challenging him to proceed with any arrests, stating, “That kind of bloviating is exhausting.” He also emphasized that Homan’s remarks were unnecessary and counterproductive. Bass agreed, contending that her role as mayor should not involve engaging in conflicts with the federal government and dismissed Homan’s comments as lacking justification.
Trump supported Homan’s warnings, claiming that officials impeding law enforcement would face legal consequences. However, Newsom recounted a recent constructive conversation with Trump that did not address concerns about the protests or the deployment of National Guard troops, which Newsom and Bass criticized as likely to escalate tensions further. In a letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Newsom called for the return of the National Guard troops to state command, arguing that local authorities are better positioned to manage such situations effectively.
The administration’s use of threats against elected officials has become a notable pattern during Trump’s presidency, highlighted by the arrest of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka during immigration enforcement actions, although the charges were eventually dismissed.
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