President Donald Trump indicated his border czar, Tom Homan, should arrest California Governor Gavin Newsom as riots continue to rage in Los Angeles following immigration enforcement operations. The president's comments came during an exchange with Fox News reporter Peter Doocy, who asked Trump about Newsom's public challenge to the border czar.
According to The Daily Caller, Trump responded to Doocy's question about whether Homan should arrest Newsom with a smirk, saying, "I would do it if I were Tom."
The exchange follows escalating tensions between federal and California state officials after ICE raids in Los Angeles led to the arrest of 100 illegal immigrants, including alleged gang members and drug traffickers. The enforcement action has sparked violent protests that have included arson, vandalism, and attacks on law enforcement officers.
The conflict between Homan and Newsom began after NBC News aired footage of the border czar warning that government officials could face federal charges for obstructing immigration enforcement. This prompted a defiant response from the California governor.
"Come after me, arrest me. Let's just get it over with, tough guy," Newsom challenged in his response to Homan. "You know, I don't give a damn. But I care about my community, I care about this community. The hell are they doing? These guys need to grow up, they need to stop and we need to push back."
Homan has disputed NBC News' characterization of his comments, claiming the network edited his interview in a "dishonest" manner that took his words out of context. NBC News has stood by its reporting of Homan's remarks that sparked the confrontation.
The unrest in Los Angeles began Friday following Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids that targeted illegal immigrants with criminal backgrounds. What started as protests quickly deteriorated into widespread violence.
Rioters have burned cars, throwing Molotov cocktails, rocks, and fireworks at authorities, and defaced property with anti-ICE slogans. Some buildings and vehicles have been tagged with messages like "KILL ICE," demonstrating the intensity of anti-enforcement sentiment among protesters.
Trump responded to the escalating situation on Saturday by deploying 2,000 National Guard soldiers to Los Angeles, a move that drew immediate criticism from both Governor Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.
While suggesting Homan should arrest the California governor, Trump also took the opportunity to criticize Newsom's performance in office, despite claiming to personally like him.
"Gavin likes the publicity, but I think it would be a great thing. He's done a terrible job," Trump said during the exchange with Doocy. "Look, I like Gavin Newsom. He's a nice guy, but he's grossly incompetent. Everybody knows all you have to do is look at the little railroad he's building. It's about 100 times over budget."
The president's comments appear to reference California's high-speed rail project, which has faced significant cost overruns and delays during Newsom's administration. Trump has used this project repeatedly as an example of what he characterizes as poor governance in California.
The heated exchange between Trump, Homan, and Newsom represents the latest chapter in an ongoing confrontation between federal immigration authorities and California's leadership over immigration enforcement priorities.
Newsom's defiant challenge to federal authorities comes as Los Angeles experiences some of its worst civil unrest in years. The violence has prompted a significant federal response, with Trump deploying National Guard troops despite opposition from state and local leaders.
As the situation unfolds, tensions between federal officials and California leadership show no signs of easing. Trump's suggestion that his border czar should arrest the sitting governor of the nation's most populous state marks a significant escalation in rhetoric between the administration and state officials.
