Fact Check: Did Gavin Newsom issue a blanket pardon for LA protest rioters and looters?
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: California Governor Gavin Newsom has made headlines recently as he called President Donald Trump a "stone-cold liar" and condemned the federal deployment of troops in Los Angeles as immigration raids in the city continue.
Now, a rumor circulated online claiming that the California Governor issued a blanket pardon for anyone arrested and charged by the LAPD for rioting and looting during the protests. But is there any truth to this? Let's find out below.
Claim: Gavin Newsom issued blanket pardon for LA protest rioters and looters
In June, a rumor circulated on social media claiming that Gavin Newsom issued a blanket pardon for anyone arrested and charged by the Los Angeles Police Department for rioting and looting.
Social media users shared this rumor amid protests in the LA area, where people demonstrated against stringent immigration policies imposed by Trump.
The America's Last Line of Defense Facebook page shared a post that read, "Gavin Newsom issued a blanket pardon for anyone arrested and charged by the LAPD for rioting and looting. In response, Attorney General Pam Bondi has authorized the National Guard to make their own arrests under federal law. 'Governor Newsom lost his right to make the rules when he let the city burn.' Looters and rioters will face hate crime charges."
The text caption above the post read, "He's trying to undermine Trump's authority any way he can. Step aside and take notes, governor. A real leader is on it now."
The page also featured a reel that displayed a photo of Newsom and a second picture showing law enforcement officers detaining a suspect.
Gavin Newsom hates the UNITED States. He is an evil communist who lets violent felons prey upon the LEGALS and who has incited an insurrection by stating HE is giving a blanket pardon for rioters and looters. What is his fascination with evil? Sounds like the autopen pre-pardons.
— Skotty Mac (@macskotty) June 12, 2025
The post read, "Gavin Newsom issued a blanket pardon for anyone arrested and charged by the LAPD for rioting and looting."
Moreover, different variations of the rumor spread across other social media platforms such as TikTok, Truth Social, and X.
False: No evidence to back the viral claim
The claims made in the online rumor are false, as there is no evidence to prove that Newsom issued a blanket pardon for people arrested and charged with rioting and looting during the LA protests.
The Facebook page 'America's Last Line of Defense' made up the fictional story about Newsom, and the page describes its output as satirical, according to Snopes.
The page's bio reads, "The flagship of the ALLOD network of trollery and propaganda for cash. Nothing on this page is real."
Moreover, the post also included a small logo that read, "Nothing on this page is real."
Searches on Google and Bing also showed no credible results on whether Newsom issued a blanket pardon for LA protest rioters and looters.
Gavin Newsom calls Donald Trump a 'stone-cold liar'
Gavin Newsom lashed out at President Trump and called him a "stone-cold liar", as he condemned the federal deployment of troops in Los Angeles.
The POTUS deployed 2000 National Guard troops in Los Angeles last week. Trump's move followed the outbreak of protests over a series of sweeping immigration raids in the LA area, as Newsom called Trump’s actions illegal overreach, unconstitutional, and "provocation".
Moreover, US marines are also being added to the force to back up arrests by the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency, according to The Guardian.
Newsom said the president never mentioned federalizing the National Guard during their conversation last week, contradicting Trump's claim.
The California Governor told the New York Times podcast, "He lied, stone-cold liar."
He added, "It came completely out of left field," the subsequent rare commanding of the National Guard troops by the president, rather than the governor.
