PULSE POINTS:
What Happened: President Donald J. Trump commented on the escalating feud between Border Czar Tom Homan and California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) over U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations and pro-illegal immigrant riots in Los Angeles, suggesting he would arrest Newsom in Homan’s position.
Who’s Involved: President Donald J. Trump, Border Czar Tom Homan, California Governor Gavin Newsom.
Where & When: The exchange occurred over the weekend, with Trump speaking Monday on the White House lawn.
Key Quote: “I would do it if I was Tom, I think it’s great. Gavin likes the publicity, but I think it would be a great thing,” President Trump told the media.
Impact: Despite goading Homan to arrest him, Newsom is not complaining that Trump’s comments are “an unmistakable step toward authoritarianism” and pleading with right-wing media personalities to defend him.
IN FULL:
President Donald J. Trump addressed the ongoing clash between his administration’s Border Czar Tom Homan and California Governor Gavin Newsom (D), after Homan vowed to arrest anyone obstructing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, including state officials, and Newsom responded by daring Homan to arrest him. The dispute comes amid pro-illegal immigrant riots in Los Angeles, with Newsom moving to sue to block the Trump administration from deploying the National Guard to restore order.
Governor Newsom, a vocal critic of the Trump administration’s immigration policies, told MSNBC, “The hell with this guy [Homan]. Come after me. Arrest me. Let’s just get it over with, tough guy.”
He added, “I care about my community. The hell are they doing? These guys need to grow up. They need to stop, and we need to push back.”
On Monday, President Trump was asked on the White House lawn whether Homan should take Newsom up on his challenge. Trump responded, “I would do it if I was Tom, I think it’s great. Gavin likes the publicity, but I think it would be a great thing.”
The president also criticized Newsom’s governance, calling him “grossly incompetent” while acknowledging that he personally likes the California governor. “He’s done a terrible job, look—I like Gavin Newsom. He’s a nice guy, but he’s grossly incompetent. Everybody knows. All you have to do is look at the little railroad he’s building. It’s about a hundred times over budget.”
“We’re putting a flagpole over there,” he continued, referring to a new installation at the White House. “Under budget. I always do under budget.”
Despite previously goading Homan to arrest him, Newsom was extremely agitated by Trump’s remarks, writing on social media, “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.”
He later pleaded with Fox News media personality Sean Hannity to come to his aid.
WATCH:
.@POTUS on @GavinNewsom: “He’s done a terrible job … He’s grossly incompetent. Everybody knows it.” pic.twitter.com/NtktPNg7ww
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) June 9, 2025
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