California Gov. Gavin Newsom faced a heated confrontation with President Donald Trump over the handling of immigration protests in Los Angeles, leading to Trump’s public threats to arrest him. Newsom, a Democrat, responded by preparing for the possibility of his arrest, highlighting the deepening rift between the two leaders. In an interview with the ‘Pod Save America’ podcast, Newsom stated he had considered the implications of such an arrest, pointing to the absurdity of the situation in 2025. He criticized Trump’s actions as a move toward authoritarianism, emphasizing the importance of the nation’s constitutional principles. The conflict gained further traction as Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, initially suggested that Newsom and LA Mayor Karen Bass could face arrest if they hindered federal deportation efforts. In response, Newsom appeared to taunt Homan, challenging him to arrest him directly. Trump, in turn, mocked Newsom’s political ambitions, claiming his ‘crime’ was running for governor, which Newsom called a dangerous step toward authoritarianism.
The dispute over the National Guard deployment in California has also intensified, with Trump arguing that the troops were necessary for public safety, while Newsom accused him of overreaching. Newsom criticized the deployment as a way to satisfy Trump’s ego rather than address real public concerns. Homan later softened his stance, stating that arrests would only occur if a crime was committed, but the initial comments had already sparked significant backlash. The situation has drawn attention from federal officials and the public, with Newsom warning that such threats represent a dangerous shift toward authoritarianism. Both leaders have accused each other of undermining the Constitution, with Newsom remaining resolute in his commitment to protecting the rights of citizens, even those who may oppose his policies.