Gavin Newsom Slams Trump's Arrest Endorsement As 'Authoritarian'
Donald Trump responded positively to a suggestion that California governor Gavin Newsom should be arrested, and, of course, the governor vehemently disagrees.
It all started Sunday, when the president responded to reporters about protests going on in Los Angeles over the raids being conducted by ICE in the region.
Trump said that officials 'who stand in the way of law and order' will face judges, a remark later supported by border czar Tom Homan.
'You cross that line, it's a felony to knowingly harbor and conceal an illegal alien. It's a felony to impede law enforcement doing their job,' Homan told reporters.
Newsom called Homan's bluff on Sunday during an interview with MSNBC.
'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.'
On Monday, the president was asked by reporters if he supported Homan arresting Newsom.
And, guess what: Trump was all for putting Newsom behind bars even though there is currently no evidence he actually violated any laws ― typically a prerequisite for arrest.
'I would [arrest him] if I was Tom, I think it's great. Gavin likes the publicity, but I think it would be a great thing,' Trump said, in response to a question by Fox News' Peter Doocy.
Trump then said that while Newsom has done 'a terrible job,' he admitted he likes the California governor.
'He's a nice guy, but he's grossly incompetent,' Trump said, as shown in the video clip below.
"I would do it if I were Tom. I think it's great" -- Trump endorses the arrest of Gov. Gavin Newsom pic.twitter.com/M9b4s1BkOJ
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 9, 2025
Although Newsom dared Homan to arrest him, he was shocked that Trump endorsed it, and said the president's remarks marked '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,' Newsom said.
The President of the United States just called for the arrest of a sitting Governor.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… pic.twitter.com/tsTX1nrHAu
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) June 9, 2025
People on social media were as shocked by Trump's willingness to arrest a sitting governor who hasn't been charged or accused of any crimes.
This is a red line, full stop.When a President demands the arrest of a sitting Governor for political defiance, we're no longer debating policy, we're staring down authoritarianism. This isn't about party. It's about preserving democracy itself. Every American, left or right,…
— Evaristus Odinikaeze (@odinikaeze) June 9, 2025
If Trump arrests a governor I think we're in a major Constitutional crisis. Congress should move immediately to impeach and remove Donald John Trump from power. Or invoke the 25th Amendment because he's clearly insane.
— Crazy Fenak (@CrazyFenaker) June 9, 2025
Donald Trump is a wannabe dictator, and he's not even trying to hide it. Let's hope more and more Americans wake up to the danger he poses.
— Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) June 9, 2025
A felon calling for you to be arrested is kind of funny, if it wasn't so horrible.
— Dan Steiger (@RealFrozz) June 9, 2025
Vice President JD Vance responded to Newsom's post, saying, 'Do your job. That's all we're asking.'
Do your job. That's all we're asking. https://t.co/99Wqom5AbQ
— JD Vance (@JDVance) June 9, 2025
Many of the folks responding to Vance's response felt obliged to mock him.
No, you're threatening to arrest your biggest political opponents you goddamn fascists
— Liam Nissan™ (@theliamnissan) June 9, 2025
'Do your job,' says the guy whose full-time gig is tweeting from inside a loyalty oath.JD out here cosplaying as a constitutional scholar while cheering on banana republic tactics like it's just another Monday.
— Ultramõrd Sillu (@suunasolkija) June 9, 2025
Arresting Gavin Newsom would be hilarious, but it would help him in 2028.
— Cryptid Politics 🇺🇸🐊 (@CryptidPolitics) June 9, 2025
'Arrest Me, Let's Go': Newsom Punches Back At Trump Border Czar
Labor Leader's Injury And Arrest In LA ICE Raids Sparks Outrage
Trump Sets National Guard On Los Angeles As Protesters Counter Immigration Raids: Live Updates
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