Standoff with Newsom: "Lock me up if you dare," challenges California's Governor to Trump
California's governor confronts Trump administration's policies
A fierce battle of words rages between California's Governor Newsom and the Trump administration, particularly concerning the deployment of National Guard troops against protesters. Amid the chaos, scores of protesters are detained in San Francisco during a demonstration against the immigration agency.
Defiant in the face of the U.S. government's threats, California Governor Gavin Newsom spits fire on NBC towards Tom Homan, Trump's enforcer of deportation policies. "Lock me up if you must. Let's get this over with," he snarled. Homan didn't rule out arresting Newsom or even Mayor of Los Angeles, Karen Bass, should they interfere with U.S. government decisions. Yet, he admits that no one has yet crossed the legal line.
Newsom: Trump's tactics, "tiresome" and "politically manipulative"
Responding to Homan, Newsom declared, "He knows where to find me. This talk is getting tiresome. So, Tom, lock me up." The governor accuses the Trump administration of deliberately stirring up fear and making migrants political scapegoats. California vows to resist such tactics with every weapon at its disposal. Newsom has already announced a lawsuit, and recently reiterated this threat on X. "[Trump] has incited passions and illegally taken control of the National Guard," he wrote there. "The order he signed applies to more than just California. It allows him to do the same in every state. We're suing him."
Historically, the National Guard traces its roots to militias in the colonies before the founding of the United States. Its primary duties include disaster relief, homeland security, supporting law enforcement during riots in U.S. states, and serving as reserve forces for overseas military deployments. While U.S. presidents often deploy the National Guard, doing so without the consent of a state's governor is highly controversial. The current tension surrounding the National Guard deployment stirs numerous questions, such as the true nature of the protests, the laws Trump invokes, and his coordination with state authorities.
Diverging Views on the Situation
Last weekend, Trump ordered National Guard troops to Los Angeles to address protest-related increased activity from ICE. According to the president, the situation had spiraled out of control; local authorities disagreed. Trump threatened protesters with force, leaving open the possibility of future military intervention. Deploying the regular army within the country represents a significant escalation.
This dispute is unusual because liberal Democratic Governor Newsom, a favorite target of the US President, embodies Trump's antithesis. Trump frequently insults Newsom, vulgarly nicknaming him "Newscum." And it's no secret that the 57-year-old harbors ambitions of winning the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028.
Arrests in San Francisco
In San Francisco, demonstrations against the deportation of migrants without valid visas turned violent. Approximately 60 people were arrested after a peaceful demonstration outside an ICE building, according to CNN affiliate KGO. Hundreds of protesters gathered in the West Coast metropolis on Sunday evening to oppose the ongoing deportations in California. However, tensions escalated when some protesters reportedly damaged property, launched attacks, and caused other disturbances, prompting authorities to declare the protests an "unlawful assembly."
Sources: ntv.de, mpe/dpa/AFP
- California
- Protests
- Donald Trump
- Los Angeles
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Governor Gavin Newsom's response to the Trump administration's deployment of the National Guard in California has intensified from initial objections to legal action. A summary of his response and the current status of the disputes is as follows:
Initial Response
Newsom vehemently objected to the deployment, calling it "unconstitutional" and criticizing Trump for circumventing state authorities without consultation[6].
Legal Action
Newsom filed an emergency motion to block the deployment, arguing that Trump unlawfully took control of the National Guard without his permission[7]. The lawsuit claims that Trump's actions threaten democracy and are an abuse of power[8].
Current Status
- Legal Dispute: Newsom's lawsuit contests Trump's alleged overreach of executive powers by deploying troops without state consent. Lawsuits challenge the president's use of emergency powers and claim that the move is politically motivated[8][5].
- Political Tensions: The dispute has heightened political tensions between Newsom and Trump, with both sides engaging in public critiques[4][5].
- Conditions for Troops: Newsom has also criticized the deployment for the lack of basic supplies for the troops[5].
I'm not going to be a big fan of the idea of a "couple" between Governor Newsom and Trump, given their escalating disagreements and politics-laden disputes. The current standoff, which centers around the deployment of National Guard troops in California, has taken a legal turn as Governor Newsom filed a lawsuit against Trump, accusing him of overreach of executive powers and political manipulation.
