California Gov. Gavin Newsom fired back at President Donald Trump’s claim that he should be arrested for his response to anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles, effectively egging on Trump.
“I told the president: just get it over with. Arrest me. Move on. If you need some head to scalp, do it with me, but stop messing with these kids,” the Democratic governor said about Trump.
Newsom was referring to the fear that recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids have caused for children in the city.
Protesters on Friday began demonstrating against ICE and Border Patrol, after federal immigration authorities conducted raids to detain undocumented immigrants.
Since Friday, demonstrators have been protesting, mostly in downtown Los Angeles, against federal immigration officials who conducted raids on undocumented immigrants in the city. Law enforcement at times cracked down on protesters violently, teargassing, beating, and using flash grenades on people as they attempted to disperse the crowds. While the protests have been largely peaceful, some people launched fireworks, set cars on fire, and fought with law enforcement.
That same evening, Trump ordered the National Guard to LA to disperse protests. He is testing the limits of the law by working around Newsom to deploy the National Guard troops. It’s the first time in 60 years that a president has deployed a state’s National Guard without the approval of local officials. Trump cited Title 10 of the U.S. code which allows him to call the troops under federal control. It can be used only during certain circumstances, such as if the U.S. is invaded, if the president can’t execute the law, or there is a rebellion — a condition Trump claims the unrest in LA satisfies.
Many legal scholars believe the LA protests do not meet the definition of rebellion. But the scope of Trump’s authority will be tested in court — California is suing the Trump administration for issuing the order. The president responded by saying he would support arresting Newsom, alleging he purposely obstructed federal immigration enforcement efforts.
Trump doubled down on his claim that Newsom should be arrested during an unrelated event at the White House on Monday afternoon.
“What crime has Gov. Newsom committed?” a reporter questioned the president.
“A crime he has committed?” Trump replied.
“Yeah, to warrant his arrest, as you had suggested earlier,” the reporter said.
“I think his primary crime is running for governor, because he’s done such a bad job,” the president responded.
