Tom Homan calls NBC reporter a 'joke' while dodging question about Gavin Newsom's arrest challenge

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Border czar Tom Homan dodged a question about arresting California Governor Gavin Newsom and blasted NBC News' Jacob Soboroff during an appearance on 'Fox & Friends' on Monday, June 9.

On Saturday, Soboroff asked Homan if his threat to arrest those obstructing ICE operations applied to Newsom or Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. Homan's response led Newsom to challenge the border czar to arrest him and put him in handcuffs, saying, "Tom, arrest me. Let’s go," according to Mediaite.

Tom Homan skips question about arresting Gavin Newsom and attacks NBC's Jacob Soboroff

During an interview on June 7, Jacob Soboroff asked Tom Homan, "There have been threats previously that if you stand in the way of your enforcement operations, you could be subject potentially to arrest. Are you saying that about Mayor Bass and Gov Newsom? Are they at risk of being arrested?"

"I’ll say it about anybody. You cross that line, it’s a felony to knowingly harbor and conceal an illegal alien. It’s a felony to impede law enforcement doing their job," Homan replied.

Following this, Soboroff met Newsom for an interview on Sunday, where he told the California governor, "Tom Homan, the border czar, said to me yesterday, he did not rule out arresting you nor Mayor Bass if you interfere" in the unfolding conflict in LA including the deployment of National Guard troops by President Donald Trump, per the outlet. 

Newsom accused the Trump administration of exhibiting "authoritarian tendencies" and using federal power as a political weapon.

On Monday, 'Fox & Friends' played footage of burning cars and a clip of Newsom’s challenge, as host Lawrence Jones asked for Homan's response.

The border czar said, "Well, first of all, it’s just ridiculous. That reporter from MSNBC? He’s a joke. He’s a dishonest reporter."

He continued, "What we discussed was, for those protesters that cross the line, I’ve said it many times, you can protest, you get your First Amendment rights. But when you cross that line, you put hands on an ICE officer, or you destroy property."

"I’d say that you’re impeding law enforcement or you’re knowingly harboring or concealing an illegal alien, that’s a crime. And the Trump administration is not going to tolerate it. You cross that line, but once you cross it, you go to the Department of Justice," he added.

Homan then said, "Then the reporter asked me, ‘Well, could Gov Newsom or Mayor Bass be arrested?' I said, Well, no one’s above the law. If they cross the line and commit a crime, absolutely, they can. So there was no discussion about arresting Newsom."

Moreover, he took a jibe at the California governor and said, "He’s failed that state. He waited two days of that city burning. And people getting hurt. Officers being assaulted before he made any declaration of an unlawful assembly. He’s late to the game. President Trump isn’t late to the game."

Internet slams Tom Homan for his remarks

Several internet users slammed Tom Homan as he dodged a question about arresting Gavin Newsom and blasted the NBC reporter, denying that he ever discussed arresting Newsom.

An online comment read, "You are a liar, a willful liar. No wonder your polling is in the crapper," while another said, "He should be impeached, he is too old."

A person stated, "I think we all support Newsom on this one," whereas someone else mentioned, "Homan talked all tough about the REPORTER...backed down to Newsom."

An individual quipped, "Look at this! He’s actually crying!" while one more wrote, "Well tuff guy, are you going to arrest the governor, or not?" 

"Interesting, how all of trumps boys back down when directly confronted," read another comment. 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.