Contest of Governors Gavin Newsom and Ron DeSantis, each competing to dictate immigration policies
Ron DeSantis and Gavin Newsom Going at it Over LA Immigration Protests
Fellow Floridians and Californians, buckle up! Our Governor, Ron DeSantis, and California's own Gavin Newsom are engaged in a verbal smackdown over the immigration protests rocking Los Angeles since June 6.
DeSantis' Proposition Snubbed by Newsom
The protests taking aim at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are in their fiery phase, with skirmishes continuing. Following President Donald Trump's move to deploy 2,000 National Guard agents and further troops, Newsom defensively vocalized his disapproval.
Amidst the chaos, DeSantis stepped in to offer the State Guard of Florida to aid California with controlling the situation. The Hill reported this gesture made by our dynamic Governor.
Newsom, however, wasn't swayed by DeSantis' offer. As reported by the Miami Herald's spokesperson, Diana Crofts-Pelayo, the Cali administration rationalized that since the Guard wasn't necessary, they declined DeSantis' bid to escalate the already tense situation.
Tensions Mount Between DeSantis and Newsom
This isn't the first time these political heavyweights have crossed swords. Since the LA protests began, DeSantis voiced his disapproval of Newsom's management of the situation. On June 8, DeSantis, via his X account, penned, "National Guard members are being deployed to combat riots, not mere 'protests': a consistent misrepresentation by mainstream media." This statement accompanied a The Wall Street Journal screenshot describing the LA demonstrations as "protests."
Newsom's administration chimed in on this social media exchange, stressing their disagreements. "Are you planning for Trump to bring in the marines for Spring Break in Miami Beach or is that military trick reserved only for California?"
Newsom's Take on Migrant Protests in LA
Newsom denounced Trump's decision to deploy over 4,000 soldiers and an additional 700 marines in California. "Trump, without consulting California's police leaders, requisitioned 2,000 of our state's National Guard members for deployment on our streets. Illegally and without cause," Newsom strongly pointed out.
He further added, "This power grab by an incumbent president worsened a volatile situation, placing our people, our officers, and the National Guard at risk."
In the midst of the unrest, Los Angeles Mayor, Karen Bass, implemented a curfew from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. on June 10 to curtail the violence that had broken out. More than 20 businesses and stores in the area were vandalized. "Those defying the curfew in downtown LA will be arrested and charged," Bass warned.
Bass clarified that the city of Los Angeles was "not burning to the ground," insisting that fire damage was limited to four downtown streets.
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America's Political Battleground News
- Interestingly, Gavin Newsom's stance against Trump's immigration policies, including his recent standoff over federal actions in LA, has raised his national profile. This, in turn, fuels speculation about Newsom's potential presidential run in 2028.
- The ongoing LA immigration protests have drawn significant attention, with Governor Ron DeSantis proposing the aid of Florida's State Guard to help manage the situation, according to a report by The Hill.
- Gavin Newsom, however, declined DeSantis' offer, explaining that the National Guard wasn't necessary in this instance, as reported by the Miami Herald's spokesperson, Diana Crofts-Pelayo.
- This incident is not the first time DeSantis and Newsom have clashed, as DeSantis critiqued Newsom's handling of the LA protests on his X account, stating that mainstream media misrepresents the incidents as mere protests rather than riots.
- The tension between DeSantis and Newsom extends to Newsom's criticism of President Trump's decision to deploy thousands of soldiers and marines in California, which Newsom considers a power grab without legitimate cause.
