In a tense moment for Los Angeles, Governor Gavin Newsom spoke out against President Donald Trump’s recent military actions in the city. With federal troops and immigration agents on the streets, Newsom condemned Trump’s assertion that such militarization was necessary to control ongoing protests. He argued that rather than protecting communities, the federal government was causing trauma.
During a prime-time address, Newsom stated, “Donald Trump’s government isn’t protecting our communities — they’re traumatizing our communities.” His remarks came shortly after Trump announced the deployment of California National Guard and U.S. Marines to safeguard immigration agents from what he described as a “vicious and violent mob.”
Newsom’s speech resonated with many Democrats looking for a strong leader willing to challenge Trump. National Democratic pollster Celinda Lake praised him, saying he appeared authentic and strong, embodying the leadership qualities many desire during such turbulent times.
The governor painted a different picture from the White House narrative, claiming that Trump had intentionally stoked the protests and deployed a “military dragnet” that endangered peaceful demonstrators and immigrant families. Newsom insisted that local law enforcement had been managing the situation effectively before federal authorities intervened with tear gas and rubber bullets.
In his address, Newsom accused Trump of abusing his power by calling up the National Guard without the governor’s consent. He expressed concern that this action escalated an already volatile situation, putting lives at risk. “He doubled down on his dangerous National Guard deployment by fanning the flames even harder,” Newsom said.
The speech drew mixed reactions. Democrats praised Newsom’s stance, while Republicans criticized him for not doing enough to manage the unrest. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt suggested that Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti needed to take more effective action, accusing them of incompetence.
In the wake of these events, Newsom and California Attorney General Rob Bonta filed a request for a restraining order against the military’s actions in Los Angeles, asserting that Trump’s deployment violated the U.S. Constitution. Meanwhile, Trump, upon returning to Washington, defended his actions, claiming that without federal intervention, Los Angeles would be in flames.
The political tensions escalated further when Trump suggested that his top border advisor should consider arresting Newsom, a comment that the governor found alarming. Newsom likened the situation to an authoritarian regime, expressing disbelief that a sitting president would threaten a governor.
As protests continued, Newsom urged citizens to exercise their right to free speech peacefully and to resist any attempts to silence them. He emphasized the importance of accountability in these challenging times, calling on everyone to stand up against what he described as an assault on democracy.