California mayor blasts Trump arrest threat as authoritarian overreach
4 Min Read
Gavin Newsom pushes back as Trump sends troops to LA and hints at legal action, igniting a broader clash over immigration raids and state authority.
-
A Los Angeles police officers arrest a protester in downtown Los Angeles on Monday, June 9, 2025. (AP)
Tensions between the White House and California surged Monday as US President Donald Trump floated the idea of arresting Governor Gavin Newsom over his handling of the Los Angeles protests. The move drew sharp rebuke from Newsom, who accused the president of trampling constitutional norms and veering into authoritarianism.
The confrontation erupted following Trump’s decision to unilaterally deploy National Guard troops and now the Marines, with 700 troops deployed as confirmed by the military, to Los Angeles in response to protests sparked by a controversial ICE operation targeting undocumented immigrants. Local officials say the federal response was launched without California’s consent, aggravating an already volatile situation on the ground.
Confirming the deployment, the US Northern Command said in a statement, "Approximately 700 Marines with 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division will seamlessly integrate with the Title 10 forces under Task Force 51 in the Los Angeles Area."
You sent your troops here without fuel, food, water or a place to sleep.
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) June 9, 2025
Here they are — being forced to sleep on the floor, piled on top of one another.
If anyone is treating our troops disrespectfully, it is you @realDonaldTrump. https://t.co/4i8VIiYZLr pic.twitter.com/sUYD2KHu6O
Speaking to reporters on the South Lawn, Trump casually mentioned that if he were former ICE Director Tom Homan, “I’d arrest Newsom,” calling the idea “great". The remark, made just hours after Homan dismissed any actual plan to detain the governor, immediately triggered alarm across political circles.
Homan later clarified on Fox News that there had been no active discussions about arresting public officials, though he stressed that “no one is above the law.” He insisted that while protesting is constitutionally protected, obstruction of law enforcement could warrant legal action.
Newsom fires back: 'Step toward authoritarianism'
Governor Newsom swiftly responded, denouncing Trump’s statement on social media as a direct attack on American democratic values. “The President of the United States just called for the arrest of a sitting Governor,” Newsom wrote, warning that the country was witnessing a “step toward authoritarianism.” On X, his words were even starker, “These are the acts of a dictator, not a President.”
The President of the United States just called for the arrest of a sitting Governor.
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) June 9, 2025
This is a day I hoped I would never see in America.
I don’t care if you’re a Democrat or a Republican this is a line we cannot cross as a nation — this is an unmistakable step toward… pic.twitter.com/tsTX1nrHAu
Beyond the rhetorical clash, Newsom also announced legal action, accusing the Trump administration of violating constitutional boundaries by federalizing state troops without permission. “He acted illegally,” the governor declared. “This order isn’t just about California, it sets a dangerous precedent for all states.”
At the heart of the standoff is a June 7 immigration enforcement operation in downtown Los Angeles. The aggressive ICE raid sparked immediate protests, which escalated in scope and intensity over the weekend. Trump’s decision to send federal troops, initially National Guard units and now potentially 700 Marines from Twentynine Palms, has further fueled the political firestorm.
When pressed by ABC’s Karen Travers about what law Newsom allegedly violated, Trump offered no legal basis, saying only, “His primary crime is running for governor because he’s done such a bad job.” The comment underscored what critics view as a personal vendetta disguised as a policy decision.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, backing Trump, downplayed the implications but voiced support for the troop deployment, calling it a “deterrent” to unrest.
Police escalate crackdown amid legal threats and unrest
As legal challenges unfold, the situation on the streets of Los Angeles remains tense. According to reports from RIA Novosti, police have intensified their tactics, using flashbang grenades and rubber bullets to disperse crowds outside government buildings. Officers were observed detaining protesters individually, particularly those accused of throwing objects or resisting dispersal orders.
The protests, now entering their third consecutive day, have been fueled by outrage over immigration policy, the use of federal force, and what many see as a breakdown in lawful governance. The city’s leadership has voiced frustration over the lack of communication from Washington, describing the federal response as provocative and unconstitutional.
While Trump has hinted at deploying more military resources, Newsom and civil rights groups warn that such actions risk exacerbating tensions further. With lawsuits pending and troops stationed in the city, the balance between protest, public order, and federal authority remains dangerously unstable.
Read more: UN calls for demilitarization at the Los Angeles protests
