Newsom Defies ‍Arrest Threats Amid Immigration Raid Protests in⁣ Los Angeles

‌ ​ ​Updated June 09, 2025

California Gov. ‍Gavin Newsom is pushing back against threats of arrest from the Trump governance. This defiance comes as he manages ‌clashes between law enforcement and protesters responding to immigration raids across Los ‌Angeles, all while navigating a power ‌struggle with the federal​ government over immigration enforcement.

Tom Homan, Trump’s “border czar,” stated Saturday that immigration operations and the ​presence of federal⁤ personnel would continue in Los‍ Angeles, despite criticism from Democratic leaders. Homan ​warned that anyone obstructing immigration enforcement efforts,⁣ including Newsom and Los ‌Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, could face arrest, though he conceded neither had yet crossed the line.

Newsom, in ​an⁣ MSNBC interview, dared‍ Homan to follow through with the arrest. He said Homan knows where to ⁤find him and dismissed the threats ⁢as exhausting “bloviating.”

Bass downplayed Homan’s warning as unnecessary,‌ emphasizing that while she opposes ⁢the National Guard deployment, she does not want conflict with the federal government.⁤ She said she spoke with Homan, who understands her position as mayor.

President Trump ⁤reinforced Homan’s warning sunday, stating that officials obstructing law and order would “face⁤ judges.”

Newsom said Trump ‌did not ‌express concerns about​ his handling of the Los Angeles ‍protests or the potential​ federalization of National Guard troops during a recent phone call. According ⁤to Newsom, the issue “never came up” ⁣during thier 20-minute conversation.

Newsom and⁤ Bass have both⁢ strongly criticized Trump’s decision to​ deploy National Guard troops, arguing it would escalate tensions already ‍heightened by large-scale immigration operations. Newsom requested that Trump rescind the order federalizing the troops and return them to ​his command,stating that state and local authorities are best ​suited to assess resource needs in dynamic situations.

“He’s a tough guy. Why doesn’t he do that? He knows where to find me,” Newsom said. “That kind ⁣of bloviating is exhausting.⁢ So, Tom, arrest me.‍ Let’s go.”

“He had absolutely positively no reason to even ​say ⁢that,” Bass said. “I spoke to him last night. He understands that I am the mayor of the city; the last thing in the world I’m going to do⁤ is get into a brawl with the federal government. So that just ‍made no sense. There was no reason for that comment.”

What’s next

The⁣ situation remains tense as the immigration operations continue and protests persist. The ‌conflict between state and federal⁤ authorities is ongoing, with‌ the deployment of National Guard troops and the⁣ threat ⁢of arrests creating⁣ further uncertainty.