California’s Governor Gavin Newsom has publicly labelled former President Donald Trump a “stone cold liar” amidst ongoing immigration enforcement activities in Los Angeles supported by the National Guard. Newsom’s comments were made during an MSNBC interview where he responded to Trump’s claims of having previously discussed deploying the National Guard in a late-night phone call, arguing that their conversation was brief and centred more on other topics.
Newsom commented that working with Trump is futile, stating, “You can only work for him,” and he firmly refused to do so. Alongside Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, Newsom has voiced strong opposition against the White House’s decision to send in the National Guard and Marines following protests against immigration raids by ICE that erupted in the city.
Trump has framed the immigration strategy as essential for maintaining peace, describing protesters as a foreign threat and pledging to “liberate” the city from what he deems criminal control. He characterised Los Angeles as “a trash heap,” claiming entire neighbourhoods were overrun with crime and promising a crackdown with federal resources to restore order.
In light of recent events, Newsom accused Trump of worsening the situation rather than working to alleviate tensions. He highlighted that Trump’s immigration policies indiscriminately target not only criminals but also innocent individuals like dishwashers and labourers. The governor emphasized that Trump’s unilateral deployment of California’s National Guard is a troubling precedent for other states, asserting, “California may be first – but it clearly won’t end here.”
Seeking to halt the federal actions, Newsom filed a request with a federal court to block the deployment of the National Guard and Marines, arguing it could escalate tensions and unrest. Following Trump’s orders, approximately 4,000 National Guard and 700 Marine troops were dispatched to Los Angeles. The federal government countered Newsom’s request, labelling it unprecedented and a hindrance to their law enforcement operations. A hearing on the matter is scheduled.
Despite the presence of troops, there has been limited interaction between them and the protesters. Local authorities, including the police chief, expressed their discontent, indicating that the military involvement complicates their efforts to manage the protests effectively. In response to increasing vandalism and looting, Mayor Bass implemented a curfew in downtown LA, citing a need to restore order after significant unrest.
Amidst the increasing military presence, Bass declared a local emergency, intending to curb criminal behaviour during after-hours. While ICE has illustrated the actions being taken with the support of the National Guard, there is growing concern about the implications this poses for local safety and civil liberties as these military forces move closer to participating in law enforcement activities.