Donald Trump seems to have a better relationship with California Gov. Gavin Newsom than he does with some other Democratic governors. This week, for instance, he even called him “a nice guy” while threatening to arrest him.
Over the weekend, Border Czar Tom Homan indicated that he would arrest Newsom or Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass if they interfered with federal immigration efforts. While Homan appeared to back off the threat in a subsequent interview, Trump said “I would” to the question of whether he would allow the governor to be arrested.
“I would do it if I were Tom,” Trump said of the arrest question. “Gavin likes the publicity, but I think it would be a great thing.”
“I like Gavin Newsom. He’s a nice guy, but he’s grossly incompetent, everybody knows that,” Trump added, of the governor who many expect to run to succeed Trump as president in 2028.
Newsom had answered “Come and get me” to Homan’s initial threat.
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.pic.twitter.com/DvVQljAgir
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) June 9, 2025
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The threats come amid the protests in Southern California against crackdowns on immigration by the Trump Administration, which have led to clashes with law enforcement. Trump has deployed the National Guard over the objections of Newsom and Bass; it is traditionally governors, not presidents, who call in the National Guard.
BREAKING: In a shocking, unprecedented moment, Donald Trump just called for the Governor of California, Gavin Newsom, to be arrested.
This is full-on, unbridled fascism.
This cannot stand.pic.twitter.com/QPgHJ50kXL— Really American 🇺🇸 (@ReallyAmerican1) June 9, 2025
It’s not clear what exactly Trump would arrest Newsom for. But if he did arrest him, it would likely be something Newsom alludes too often on the campaign trail.
There have been some outraged reactions to Trump’s threats.
Gavin Newsom just perfectly explained the cycle of Trump. In LA, things were under control until Trump got involved and sent the National Guard. Then, things got worse. Trump destroys everything he touches. pic.twitter.com/uhJaxXAhma
— Harry Sisson (@harryjsisson) June 9, 2025
California Governor Newsom didn’t request the National Guard be deployed to his state following peaceful demonstrations.
Trump sent them anyway. It’s the first time in 60 years a president has made that choice.
Trump’s goal isn’t to keep Californians safe.
His goal is to…
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) June 9, 2025
Photo courtesy of the Political Tribune media library.
