President Donald Trump and Governor Gavin Newsom are currently at odds as protests erupt across Los Angeles in response to immigration raids conducted by ICE officers.
Despite their history of working together through crises such as devastating fires and a pandemic, the two leaders find themselves unable to communicate effectively regarding the unfolding situation.
After a recent phone call, Trump’s aides claimed he issued a firm directive to Newsom, urging, “Get the police in gear.” This directive came just hours before Trump took the significant step of federalizing the National Guard without the consent of local authorities.
However, Newsom has refuted this account, asserting during an MSNBC interview that Trump never mentioned any plans to seize control of the National Guard during their call.
The disconnect between the two leaders has since deepened. A White House official confirmed that they have not communicated again following their contentious conversation.
On Monday, President Trump escalated tensions further by suggesting that Newsom could face arrest. He also announced a significant deployment of active-duty U.S. Marines alongside the National Guard as part of an unprecedented effort to restore order as protests in Los Angeles, some of which have turned violent, persist.
In response, Newsom’s administration announced it would be suing the Trump administration over this military deployment.
The governor criticized Trump’s leadership, labeling the president as “unhinged” and referring to his Defense Secretary as a “joke.” Furthermore, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt warned that if Newsom obstructed federal enforcement, he could be subject to arrest for breaking federal laws.
Leavitt emphasized the principle that individuals who violate the law must face consequences.
During a press conference, Trump expressed his admiration for Newsom personally but criticized his handling of the situation, calling him “grossly incompetent.”
Responding to Trump’s comments, Newsom condemned the president’s remarks as a dangerous precedent, equating it to a step toward authoritarianism.
He stated, “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.”
Legal experts, including UC Berkeley Law School Dean Erwin Chemerinsky, remarked on the unprecedented nature of the scenario, stating, “It would truly be unprecedented to arrest a governor over a difference in policy between the federal government and a state.”
The situation escalated as violence erupted during the protests, despite Trump’s earlier hope that the deployment of the National Guard would deter unrest.
After announcing the deployment on Saturday evening, the worst violence occurred the following day when rioters attacked police vehicles.
Initial days of the protests had been largely peaceful, with only isolated incidents of violence reported.
Leavitt criticized local leaders, stating that Newsom and the Mayor of Los Angeles, Karen Bass, had effectively undermined the police’s ability to carry out their duties.
“Local leaders have refused to allow the local police department to work alongside the feds to enforce our nation’s immigration laws, and to detain and arrest violent criminals who are on the streets of Los Angeles,” she claimed.
Leavitt also expressed respect for the Los Angeles Police Department, insisting that federal enforcement operations will proceed in the city.
The ongoing protests reflect broader sentiments regarding immigration policy and local governance in the context of federal enforcement actions.
Leavitt did not rule out the possibility of President Trump invoking the Insurrection Act, which would allow military forces to engage in local law enforcement.
While she refrained from detailing any potential plans, Trump had publicly listed rioters as “insurrectionists,” which could support future declarations.
“The president is wisely keeping all options on the table and will do what is necessary to restore law and order in California,” Leavitt stated.
As part of his order, Trump activated 2,000 National Guard troops aimed at protecting federal buildings in Los Angeles, with the deployment being authorized for up to 60 days.
The exact duration of the operation remains uncertain and will depend on the violence levels stemming from the protests.
Leavitt reassured that the White House is fully focused on the situation, aiming to support citizens’ rights to peacefully protest while condemning those engaging in violence and criminal behavior.
As the interplay between state and federal authorities continues to unfold, all eyes remain on how this conflict will impact both local governance and national immigration policy moving forward.
image source from：https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2025-06-09/trump-newsom-arrest-national-guard-los-angeles-unrest-ice-raids
