In an already volatile national moment, President Donald Trump escalated tensions Monday with a bold suggestion that stunned even longtime political observers: he publicly stated that White House Border Czar Tom Homan should arrest California Governor Gavin Newsom over the state’s failure to support federal immigration enforcement.
The comment came during an impromptu Q&A with reporters outside the White House, where Trump addressed the growing unrest in Los Angeles tied to recent ICE operations and mounting clashes between protestors and law enforcement.
The Question That Sparked It All
It started with a pointed question from Fox News White House Correspondent Peter Doocy, who asked:
“Gavin Newsom is — he’s daring Tom Homan to come and arrest him. Should he do it?”
Trump, never one to back away from a controversial soundbite, delivered a reply that immediately made headlines:
“I would do it if I were Tom. I think it’s great. Gavin likes the publicity. I like Gavin Newsom. He is a nice guy, but he’s grossly incompetent. Everybody knows that.”
He followed up with a jab at California’s controversial high-speed rail project, saying:
All you have to do is look at the little railroad he is building. It’s about 100 times over budget.”
While Trump’s remark was clearly meant to be provocative, it underscores the escalating tension between federal and state authorities when it comes to immigration policy — particularly in California, where Democratic leaders have openly defied Trump-era enforcement tactics.
Democratic leaders have openly defied Trump-era enforcement tactics.
Trump: “They’re Insurrectionists. They Should Be in Jail.”
The president went further, condemning protestors involved in violent anti-ICE demonstrations as more than just activists.
“The people that are causing the problem are professional agitators. They’re insurrectionists. They’re bad people. They should be in jail,” he said.
