Governor Gavin Newsom delivered a pointed address on Tuesday evening, characterizing President Donald Trump as a significant threat to the American way of life.
In his speech, Newsom described the recent federal military intervention in Los Angeles as part of a larger strategy by Trump to undermine political and cultural norms central to the nation’s democracy.
He asserted that the deployment of National Guard and Marine troops at Trump’s direction was not merely to control protests sparked by immigration raids. Instead, he claimed it symbolized a calculated ‘war’ aimed at eroding societal foundations and centralizing power within the White House.
“California may be first, but it clearly will not end here. Other states are next,” Newsom cautioned, seated before the U.S. and California flags.
He stressed the moment was dire, declaring that “Democracy is next. Democracy is under assault before our eyes. This moment we have feared has arrived.”
As the head of the heavily Democratic state viewed as the epicenter of the Trump resistance, Newsom has had a long-standing adversarial relationship with the president.
His speech underscored the gravity with which he views Trump’s actions, arguing that the president is not only a threat to democracy but is actively dismantling its protective structures.
“He’s declared a war. A war on culture, on history, on science, on knowledge itself,” Newsom said, referring to the president’s actions.
He continued to highlight Trump’s tactics of delegitimizing news organizations and assaulting the First Amendment, stating that Trump is undermining law firms and the judicial branch, which he deemed vital to an orderly and civil society.
“It’s time for all of us to stand up,” Newsom urged, emphasizing the need for any protests to remain peaceful.
“He wants your fealty, your silence, to be complicit in this moment. Do not give in to him.”
Newsom’s address coincided with a legal action he had taken that day, requesting a court to issue an emergency injunction to prevent the military from assisting federal immigration agents.
He reported that certain National Guard members had been positioned in protective formations around federal agents executing immigration arrests.
The judge did not issue an immediate ruling, allowing the Trump administration additional days to continue their activities prior to a scheduled hearing on Thursday.
In response to Newsom’s opposition, Trump has opted to deploy over 4,000 National Guard members and 700 Marines, despite objections from local city and state leaders.
While the Marines have not yet been sighted in Los Angeles, some National Guard troops have had limited interactions with protesters, having originally been positioned to protect federal buildings.
The remarks from Newsom followed several tense exchanges with Trump, notably when the president suggested that arresting Newsom for interfering with federal immigration enforcement would be favorable.
“I think it’s great. Gavin likes the publicity, but I think it would be a great thing,” Trump remarked to reporters.
Throughout his tenure, Trump has issued various criticisms regarding California’s challenges, including its long-running homeless crisis and recent wildfires.
He has threatened to withhold federal wildfire aid in the context of disputes over water rights and called for police action against suspected store robbers, declaring, “your children are in danger” due to illegal immigration.
As tensions mounted, Trump has cited concerns about violent protests overtaking the city.
In contrast, Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass labeled the federal intervention as unnecessary and potentially hazardous.
Demonstrations have been primarily concentrated in downtown Los Angeles but have also spread to other cities across the state and nationwide, including Dallas, Chicago, and New York City, where significant gatherings resulted in multiple arrests.
In a broader context, Trump mentioned the possibility of invoking the Insurrection Act, a measure that allows the president to deploy military forces domestically to suppress rebellion or enforce laws in exceptional situations.
“If there’s an insurrection, I would certainly invoke it. We’ll see,” he stated from the Oval Office, indicating the extreme steps he might consider.
This scenario illustrates the escalating tensions between state and federal authorities, with Newsom’s characterization of Trump’s actions as a direct threat to democracy resonating amid the current political climate.
image source from：https://timesofsandiego.com/politics/2025/06/11/gov-newsom-warns-other-states-are-next-after-trump-sends-marines/?utm_source=newsshowcase&utm_medium=gnews&utm_campaign=CDAqKggAIhA87kTpYeRdiPAmQ_libZ8cKhQICiIQPO5E6WHkXYjwJkP5Ym2fHDDX5YUE&utm_content=rundown
