Stephen Miller accuses Gavin Newsom of inciting ‘violence and terrorism’ on Colbert show

WASHINGTON, DC: California Gov. Gavin Newsom under sharp criticism on Wednesday after describing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids as acts of “authoritarianism” during an interview with ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’.

Speaking Tuesday night, Newsom said: “Masked men jumping out of unmarked cars; people disappearing; no due process; no oversight; zero accountability happening in the United States of America today.”

He continued: “These are not just authoritarian tendencies, these are authoritarian actions by an authoritarian government,” adding he would “push back” if masked ICE agents in an unmarked car tried to apprehend him.

Stephen Miller accuses Gavin Newsom of fueling violence with ICE remarks

White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller responded to Newsom’s comments on social media on Wednesday, accusing the governor of inciting violence and terrorism.

“This language incites violence and terrorism,” Miller wrote, garnering more than 10,000 likes. His response fueled a heated partisan debate over political rhetoric.

Miller’s remarks came hours after a gunman opened fire at an ICE facility in Dallas, Texas, killing one detainee and injuring two others.

According to FBI Director Kash Patel, the shooter had etched “ANTI ICE” onto his shell casings, intensifying speculation over his motive.

Dallas ICE shooting sparks fierce partisan backlash

Republican Rep. Lance Gooden linked the attack directly to Newsom’s rhetoric, tweeting: “Yesterday afternoon, Ilhan Omar called for ICE to be abolished. Last night, Gavin Newsom called for people to push back against ICE agents. Today, an anti-ICE radical shot up a Dallas ICE facility. This is a direct result of the Left’s anti-ICE rhetoric.”

Newsom’s remarks came amid a broader political battle over immigration enforcement under the Trump administration. Democrats and immigrant-rights groups have long criticized ICE raids, while conservatives defend the agency’s work as essential to national security.

The controversy also unfolded just weeks after conservative activist Charlie Kirk was assassinated at Utah Valley University, further intensifying partisan tensions over violence and political rhetoric.

President Donald Trump reacted strongly on Truth Social, saying he had been briefed on the incident and condemning the shooter, who reportedly inscribed “Anti-ICE” on his ammunition.

“This is despicable!” Trump wrote. “The Brave Men and Women of ICE are just trying to do their jobs and remove the ‘WORST of the WORST’ criminals out of our country, but they are facing an unprecedented increase in threats, violence, and attacks by deranged radical leftists.”

The president directly blamed Democrats for fueling hostility toward law enforcement, pointing to recent left-wing criticism of ICE operations.

“This violence is the result of the radical Left Democrats constantly demonizing law enforcement, calling for ICE to be demolished, and comparing ICE officers to ‘Nazis,’” Trump declared.

He continued: “The violence from radical left terrorists, in the aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s assassination, must be stopped. ICE officers and other members of law enforcement are under grave threat.”

Trump reaffirmed his administration’s support for ICE and broader law enforcement amid heightened security concerns: “The Trump administration is fully committed to backing law enforcement, securing strong borders, deporting violent illegal criminals, and rooting out left-wing domestic terrorism that is terrorizing our country.