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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.

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.

This language — invoking the term “insurrection” — is notable. It’s a word with constitutional implications and one that may foreshadow Trump’s consideration of even more aggressive measures to quell what he sees as a breakdown of law and order.

Deployment of the National Guard to Los Angeles

Trump’s remarks came just two days after he ordered the deployment of at least 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles, following several days of protests, vandalism, and violence linked to ICE enforcement raids on California employers.

Reports out of L.A. described scenes of chaos: Border Patrol and ICE vehicles torched, agents injured, property looted, and a disturbing trend of protestors spitting on police officers and ICE agents — a specific act that Trump addressed multiple times in his remarks.

“Spitting on law enforcement is a crime. Full stop,” Trump said. “We are going to respond accordingly.”

The federal troops, operating under Trump’s recently signed Department of Defense Security for the Protection of Homeland Security Functions memorandum, are authorized to protect both personnel and federal property. The deployment is set to last at least 60 days, with additional forces — including 500 Marines on standby at Camp Pendleton — available if conditions worsen.

Harris Condemns Trump’s Move: “Dangerous Escalation”

Former Vice President Kamala Harris was quick to weigh in — and she didn’t hold back.

In a strongly worded statement, Harris condemned Trump’s federal response as a dangerous and divisive act.

“Los Angeles is my home. And like so many Americans, I am appalled at what we are witnessing on the streets of our city,” she said. “Deploying the National Guard is a dangerous escalation meant to provoke chaos.”

She also accused the Trump administration of using federal power to “spread panic and division,” and characterized the protests as “mostly peaceful” — despite ample footage showing looting, property destruction, and attacks on federal agents.

“This Administration’s actions are not about public safety — they’re about stoking fear,” Harris added.

Harris’s remarks align with the views of many progressive leaders, who see the use of military force as a violation of civil liberties and a step toward authoritarian governance.

But critics quickly pounced on her statement, noting that it downplayed the violence and minimized the harm done to federal personnel and property in the city she claims as her own.

Newsom and Bass Stay Silent — For Now

While Harris condemned the National Guard deployment, Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass have so far been notably quiet about the escalating situation. Their silence is drawing scrutiny from both sides.

Conservatives argue that their refusal to cooperate with federal law enforcement has created a power vacuum, enabling anarchists and anti-ICE activists to dominate the streets. Liberals, meanwhile, worry that Trump’s militarized response is setting a dangerous precedent for federal overreach.

But one thing is clear: Washington and Sacramento are at war — and Los Angeles is the battlefield.

What’s Behind the Arrest Comment?

When Trump suggested that Tom Homan — the fiery former acting ICE director and now White House Border Czar — should arrest Newsom, many brushed it off as a rhetorical flourish. But others see it as a symbolic threat, reflecting growing frustration in the Trump administration over sanctuary policies and what it views as active obstruction by California officials.

While no legal mechanism exists for Homan to unilaterally arrest a sitting governor, the comment raises new questions about how far Trump is willing to go to enforce immigration law — especially in so-called “sanctuary” states.

The Bigger Picture: Immigration Enforcement at a Crossroads

At its core, this story isn’t just about one protest or one state.

It’s about the future of immigration enforcement in the United States, and whether federal law can truly be upheld in states that refuse to participate.

The Trump administration has long argued that California — with its sanctuary laws, refusal to cooperate with ICE detainers, and public criticism of federal operations — is actively undermining national security.

Critics of that position argue the opposite: that California is protecting vulnerable communities from overreach, racial profiling, and family separation.

This ideological divide has now erupted into a showdown involving troops in the streets, public officials calling each other out, and a White House openly flirting with invoking the Insurrection Act — a drastic step that hasn’t been used in decades.

What Comes Next?

With more protests expected throughout the week in major California cities, the White House has indicated it’s prepared to escalate if necessary.

The Department of Homeland Security and Department of Defense are reportedly coordinating closely, while ICE has increased its security posture in several jurisdictions deemed “high-risk.”

Meanwhile, Trump has made it clear that he’s not backing down.

“We’re going to restore order,” he said. “If that means dealing with corrupt or cowardly state officials, then so be it.”

As for Tom Homan, he has not publicly responded to Trump’s suggestion — but given his history of hardline immigration enforcement, many expect he’ll have something to say soon.

Law, Order, and the Fight for Federal Control

The clash between Trump and California is more than political theater. It’s a real-time struggle over jurisdiction, authority, and the limits of federal power.

Whether the country sees the National Guard deployment as a necessary defense of law enforcement or an ominous overstep will largely depend on how the coming days unfold.

But one thing is undeniable: the national immigration debate has taken a sharper, more aggressive turn — and neither side is showing signs of backing down.