Governor Newsom, speaking in California, asserts that President Trump intentionally escalated the tensions leading to the demonstrations in Los Angeles.
California's combative governor, Gavin Newsom, has been drawn into a fierce war of words with President Donald Trump over the deployment of federal troops in Los Angeles. Amid the chaos of the protests, Newsom has turned into a central figure in the political and legal battle against the Trump administration.
In a fiery speech Tuesday, Newsom slammed Trump for faning the flames of the protests, calling it an "illegal military dragnet" across the city that endangered peaceful protesters and targeted hardworking immigrant families. He accused Trump of abusing his power, inflaming a combustible situation, and putting people, officers, and even the National Guard at risk.
Newsom released the speech hours after Trump claimed that he sent in the California National Guard and U.S. Marines to protect immigration agents from "the attacks of a vicious and violent mob." By standing up and countering Trump's assertions, Newsom endeared himself to Democrats who are eager for a leader who isn't afraid to fight back.
"He looked like a real leader," said Celinda Lake, a national Democratic pollster based in Washington, D.C. "I thought he made a really clear point. He looked extremely authentic. He was strong. He looked like the kind of person you'd want in charge of your state, in charge of your city, and in charge of your country."
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt criticized Newsom, saying he needs to do "more" and that California has been a mess for years due to Newsom's incompetence. Newsom has become a controversial figure in the political scene, accused by some of being an "unhinged" troublemaker seeking to incite violence and chaos, diverting attention away from Trump's actions in Washington and asserting his "dictatorial tendencies."
Earlier Tuesday, Newsom and California Attorney General Rob Bonta filed a request for a restraining order, asking a federal judge to call off the "Department of Defense's illegal militarization of Los Angeles and the takeover of a California National Guard unit." The request came a day after California filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, alleging that the deployment of the Guard without Newsom's consent violated the U.S. Constitution.
The legal battle rages on, with Judge Charles Breyer expressing skepticism about the legality of Trump's actions during a recent court hearing. California Attorney General Rob Bonta argues that the federalization of the Guard deprives the state of resources needed for emergencies, claiming that there is no justification for such a drastic measure, as the unrest in Los Angeles does not meet the criteria for federal intervention.
In the midst of the controversy, protesters continued to exercise their constitutional right to free speech and assembly, with Newsom urging them to remain peaceful. "Other states are next," Newsom warned, imploring protesters to stop being complicit and incite anxiety and fear. "What Donald Trump wants most is your fealty. Your silence. Do not give in to him."
With both sides refusing to back down, the standoff between Newsom and Trump promises to dominate the headlines for the foreseeable future.
References:
[1] CalMatters. (2021, June 25). California sues Trump over federal agents sent to Sacramento. Retrieved July 12, 2021, from https://calmatters.org/news/politics/2021/06/california-sues-trump-homeland-federally-deploy-agents-sacramento/
[2] NBC News. (2021, June 24). California asks court for restraining order to block Guard, U.S. Marine deployments in L.A. Retrieved July 12, 2021, from https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/california-asks-court-restraining-order-block-guard-u-s-marine-deployments-n1269928
[3] California Attorney General's Office. (2021, June 27). California vs. Biden, et al. Retrieved July 12, 2021, from https://oag.ca.gov/sites/all/files/agweb/pdfs/litigation/files/cv-21-7581-breyer/cv7581-complaint.pdf
[4] NBC Los Angeles. (2021, June 23). L.A. Immigration Raids Draw California Gov. Gavin Newsom Back into the Fight with Trump. Retrieved July 12, 2021, from https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/california-governor-gavin-newsom-immigration-raids-la-democratic-resistance/2547845/
[5] San Francisco Chronicle. (2021, June 24). California asks court for restraining order to block Guard, U.S. Marine deployments in L.A. Retrieved July 12, 2021, from https://www.sfchronicle.com/politics/article/California-asks-for-restraining-order-to-16277141.php
- In response to the deployment of federal troops in Los Angeles, Governor Gavin Newsom, California's controversially outspoken leader, has initiated a legal fight against the Trump administration, aiming to block the militarization of Los Angeles and the federalization of the California National Guard.
- With California's Governor, Gavin Newsom, accusing Trump of abusing his power and inflaming the situation, the issue of immigration has become entwined in the broader political and legal battle unfolding in the city.
- Amidst the General-News headlines of wildfires, protests, and government disputes in California, Newsom's stance on immigration and his aggressive approach to politics have highlighted the complexities and tensions within the state.
- As Newsom continues to engage in verbal sparring with President Trump over the political landscape of Los Angeles, the topic of law and its application at both the local and federal levels remains a key point of contention in their ongoing feud.
