President Donald Trump stated that California Governor Gavin Newsom should be arrested amid protests in Los Angeles over immigration raids. This development follows earlier reports of Gov. Newsom challenging Tom Homan to arrest him after the border czar discussed the possibility of taking such action against both Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.
Reports indicate that Trump remarked, “I would do it if I were Tom,” and added, “I think it’s great Gavin likes the publicity, but I think it would be a great thing. He’s done a terrible job. I like Gavin Newsom. He’s a nice guy, but he’s grossly incompetent. Everybody knows. All you have to do is look at the little railroad he’s building. It’s about a hundred times over budget.”
Newsom was swift in responding to Trump’s suggestion. In a statement, he described the president’s comments as “a line we cannot cross as a nation” and warned that they mark “an unmistakable step toward authoritarianism.”
In his remarks, President Trump also stated that individuals who violently protest and cause damage should face legal consequences. “The people that are causing the problem are professional agitators,” the president said. “They’re insurrectionists. They’re bad people. They should be in jail.”
