GOP senator offers rare praise to Newsom for state police deployment to major California cities
WASHINGTON, DC: Louisiana Senator John Kennedy appeared on Fox News on Friday, August 29, and publicly thanked California Governor Gavin Newsom for deploying state police to tackle crime across major cities.
The Republican praised the move as an intelligent step in the right direction. California Highway Patrol (CHP) troopers are set to begin targeting auto theft, drug dealing, and other criminal activity in Los Angeles, San Diego, the Inland Empire, and the San Francisco Bay Area.
John Kennedy says Gavin Newsom 'surprised' them with move
During an appearance on Fox News, Louisiana Senator John Kennedy surprised viewers by offering unexpected praise to California Governor Gavin Newsom over his recent decision to deploy state police to major cities to combat rising crime.
When host Sandra Smith asked whether he supported sending the National Guard to Chicago, Kennedy responded, “[I’d] prefer to have them invited,” before shifting the conversation to California.
“I want to make a rare note of gratitude to Governor Newsom. He surprised us all and did something intelligent,” the senator said.
Acknowledging that Newsom's move may have been influenced by pressure from the Trump administration’s previous threats to deploy federal agents, Kennedy added, “You don’t have to be a senior at Cal Tech to know that’s in response to the [Donald] Trump administration’s threat to send federal law enforcement officials, but look, I’ll take it.”
John Kennedy says crime and violence have gotten worse in California under Gavin Newsom
Still, John Kennedy didn’t shy away from criticism. He blamed Newsom’s policies for worsening crime across California during his time in office.
“Every year that [Newsom] has been governor, crime and violence has gotten worse in California,” Kennedy stated. “Why? Because Governor Newsom is a member of the socialist wing of his party. Because Governor Newsom has refused to get up off his ice-cold, lazy bu** and do something about it."
He added, "Because Governor Newsom thinks that talking about crime — he’s only doing it under pressure — is racist, because he thinks that cops are a bigger problem than criminals."
Despite the harsh words, Kennedy reiterated his approval of Newsom’s latest action. “But I want to give him credit. Maybe he’s had a conversion, but he’s doing the right thing by sending in California state police,” he said, before adding with his signature Southern wit, “Even a blind chicken finds a mealworm every now and then.”
Gavin Newsom announces deployment of state police teams to deter crime
On Thursday, Gavin Newsom announced the deployment of new state police teams to major cities across the state. This move stood in stark contrast to President Donald Trump's recent threats to unilaterally send National Guard troops to Los Angeles and Washington, DC. The presdient had also warned he might deploy Guard members to San Francisco, claiming he would "clean up" the city.
Newsom was quick to clarify that his decision was not a reaction to Trump's actions, emphasizing that, unlike the president's approach, California's deployment was not being carried out against the wishes of local governments.
"As it relates to the president in particular, he’s doing things to people, not with people, and it’s a point of profound, consequential contrast. He’s de facto militarizing American cities," the Democrat said.
The expanded state police forces will be stationed in major California cities like Los Angeles, Bakersfield, San Bernardino, and Oakland. Newsom explained that these officers would work closely with local law enforcement, sharing intelligence and increasing patrols to prevent crime and ensure public safety.
