Trump says he'd 'do it' after Gavin Newsom dares Tom Homan to arrest him amid intensifying LA protests

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: As tensions escalated in Los Angeles over immigration raids, a game of dare and double-dare seems to be going on between President Donald Trump and California Governor Gavin Newsom.

Trump, in response to Newsom’s dare for border czar Tom Homan to arrest him, replied that he "would do it" if the Democrat challenged the administration’s mobilization of National Guard troops to crack down on violent protests.

The president made the comment during a brief exchange with reporters after stepping off Marine One at the White House.

The unrest began on Friday, June 6, following a series of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids across the city. Protesters flooded major streets, clashing with law enforcement, who responded with tear gas and rubber bullets in an effort to restore order.

Donald Trump suggests Tom Homan should arrest Gavin Newsom as protests intensify in Los Angeles

During a press exchange outside the White House, Fox News correspondent Peter Doocy asked Donald Trump whether border czar Tom Homan should take up California Governor Gavin Newsom's challenge to arrest him. “He's daring Tom Homan to come and arrest him. Should he do it?” Doocy asked.

“I would do it I were Tom,” Trump replied. “I think it's great. Gavin likes the publicity. But I do think it would be a great thing. He's done a terrible job. I like Gavin Newsom. He's a nice guy, but he's grossly incompetent. Everybody knows," he added, as per Fox News.

Trump then shifted his focus to the ongoing unrest in LA, asserting that many of the individuals involved in the protests were not genuine demonstrators but rather “professional agitators.” “The people that are causing the problem are professional agitators. They're insurrectionists. They're bad people. They should be in jail,” the MAGA leader claimed. 

Homan earlier told NBC News that he wouldn't rule out arresting Democratic officials if they impede law enforcement from doing their job or "knowingly harbor and conceal an illegal alien." In response, Newsom dared the border czar to arrest him.

In an X (formerly Twitter) post, he wrote, "Trump’s border czar is threatening to arrest me for speaking out. Come and get me, tough guy. I don't give a damn. It won’t stop me from standing up for California."

National Guard deployment sparks clash between Donald Trump and California leaders

The deployment of National Guard troops to Los Angeles has sparked a major clash between Donald Trump and several California leaders, including LA Mayor Karen Bass. In response to intensifying anti-ICE protests, Trump authorized the deployment of up to 2,000 National Guard troops and more than 700 Marines to the city.

On Monday, the state of California filed a legal challenge, arguing that the federalization of the California National Guard violated the 10th Amendment of the Constitution by overriding state authority without the governor’s consent.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta condemned the move as an infringement on state sovereignty and is seeking a restraining order to block the deployment. While the federal government invoked Title 10, which allows for troop deployment under extreme circumstances, it stopped short of citing the Insurrection Act.

“There was no risk of rebellion, no threat of foreign invasion, no inability for the federal government to enforce federal laws,” Bonta said.

Critics argued that local authorities were already managing the unrest and that federal troops had only escalated tensions.

 LA Mayor Bass issued a firm statement on Saturday evening: “Everyone has the right to peacefully protest, but let me be clear: Violence and destruction are unacceptable, and those responsible will be held accountable," as per CNN.

On Sunday morning, Senator Bernie Sanders voiced strong criticism during an appearance on CNN’s 'State of the Union', as per USA Today.

“We have a president who is moving this country rapidly into authoritarianism,” Sanders said.

“My understanding is that the Governor of California, the Mayor of the city of Los Angeles, did not request the National Guard, but he thinks he has a right to do anything he wants. I would say that to a large degree, the future of this country rests with a small number of Republicans in the House and Senate who know better,” the Vermont politician expressed. 

Gavin Newsom says Donald Trump's move to call for his arrest is a 'step toward authoritarianism'

California Governor Gavin Newsom quickly fired back at the remarks made by Donald Trump with a pointed statement on social media.

“The President of the United States just called for the arrest of a sitting Governor. This is a day I hoped I would never see in America. I don’t care if you’re a Democrat or a Republican this is a line we cannot cross as a nation — this is an unmistakable step toward authoritarianism,” the Democrat wrote on X. 

On Monday, Newsom also announced plans to sue the Trump administration over its deployment of National Guard troops to LA. He argued that the move was unlawful and carried out without coordination with his office, as per the New York Post.

In a formal letter, the governor stated, “At present, law enforcement authorities from the City and County of Los Angeles are safeguarding public safety, and, as demonstrated by the robust law enforcement response yesterday evening to protect federal facilities, local law enforcement resources are sufficient to maintain order."

Internet says Donald Trump is afraid of Gavin Newsom over arrest remark 

As the video of Donald Trump saying he would have arrested Gavin Newsom if he were Tom Homan circulated, many internet users flocked to share their thoughts on the president’s statement.

One wrote, "I can tell that Trump is afraid of Newsom," and another said, "Trump accusing others of liking publicity is incredible."

A person remarked, "He knows where Gavin Newsom is right now, so I dare him to make the arrest," while someone else added, "Yeah he’s afraid of my governor lol."

"Trump scared lol he’s losing the 'control' he thought he had," one more expressed, whereas another stated, "I hope he does. It will awaken a lot more people in America and the world as to how far gone America is."

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.