Tensions between US President Donald Trump and California Governor Gavin Newsom erupted on Monday after Trump expressed support for Newsom’s arrest, a move the governor condemned as a hallmark of authoritarianism, The Washington Post reported.
The clash came after Trump deployed 700 active-duty US Marines to Los Angeles without the governor’s consent, citing violent protests sparked by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids that detained 44 individuals, including minors. The federal action drew outrage from California officials and ignited mass demonstrations across the city.
Trump accused Newsom of obstructing federal immigration enforcement and, when asked about former ICE director Tom Homan’s suggestion that Newsom be arrested, responded, “I think it’s great… Gavin likes the publicity, but I think it would be a great thing,” without citing any specific legal violation.
In response, Newsom delivered a sharp rebuke: “That’s an American president in 2025 threatening a political opponent who happens to be a sitting governor. That’s what we see in authoritarian regimes around the world.”
The unrest in Los Angeles over the weekend included violent clashes between demonstrators and federal officers. Protesters torched autonomous vehicles, threw projectiles at law enforcement, and filled city streets in defiance of the federal crackdown. Trump defended his decision, claiming, “If we didn’t do the job, that place would be burning down.”
Newsom condemned the deployment and Trump’s rhetoric, calling the move “un-American” and part of “the deranged fantasy of a dictatorial President.” He warned that the militarization of law enforcement put civilian lives at risk and undermined democratic norms.
White House officials later confirmed Trump’s threat was not just rhetoric. “No one, regardless of status, is above the law,” said one official. “If Gavin Newsom is obstructing federal law enforcement, he may face consequences.”
Visibly shaken, Newsom called the threat a tipping point: “He just threatened to have me arrested—one would reasonably assume that’s a point of no return.” He added, “I remain committed to protecting children and civilians threatened by his authoritarian behaviour, even from someone who calls for my arrest.”
The confrontation marks a new low in an already fraught relationship between California’s leadership and the White House, underscoring deep divisions over immigration, federal power, and civil liberties.
