Trump Calls for Border Czar to Arrest Newsom Amid Chaotic Anti-ICE Protests in California

Former President Donald Trump made waves on Monday after suggesting that White House Border Security Advisor Tom Homan should arrest California Governor Gavin Newsom in connection with the state’s handling of escalating anti-ICE protests.

Speaking briefly to reporters outside the White House, Trump responded to a question from Fox News correspondent Peter Doocy, who brought up Newsom’s bold stance on immigration enforcement and the rising tensions in Los Angeles.

“Gavin Newsom is daring Tom Homan to arrest him,” Doocy asked. “Should he do it?”

Without hesitation, Trump replied, “If I were Tom, I would do it. Absolutely. I think it’s great. Gavin likes the publicity—I get that. He’s a nice guy, but he’s completely incompetent. Just look at that high-speed rail disaster. It’s 100 times over budget. It tells you everything.”

Trump then pivoted to the growing unrest on the streets of Los Angeles, where demonstrators have clashed with law enforcement, vandalized property, and reportedly harassed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.

“The people behind this chaos aren’t activists—they’re agitators, insurrectionists,” Trump continued. “They’re violent. They should be in jail. This is not how a civilized society behaves.”

Over the weekend, protests in Los Angeles escalated into full-scale riots after ICE raids were carried out in several neighborhoods and business districts. Demonstrators vandalized federal vehicles, set fires, and physically confronted ICE agents and local law
enforcement.

In response to the violence, Trump authorized the deployment of approximately 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also placed 500 U.S. Marines stationed at nearby Camp Pendleton on alert for possible deployment.

Speaking later from New Jersey alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio before boarding Air Force One, Trump addressed the violence directly.

“I don’t mind peaceful protests. That’s what America’s about. But when people spit on police officers and burn down parts of their city? That’s criminal,” he said. “We are not going to let law enforcement be overrun by violent mobs.”

He further stated that his administration is considering invoking the Insurrection Act to restore order, if necessary.

“I’ve spoken with military leadership. If it continues, we may not have a choice,” Trump said.

Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris, who has long represented California, condemned Trump’s response and the federal intervention. In a strongly worded statement, Harris blasted the use of the National Guard and accused Trump of fueling division.

“Los Angeles is my home. What we are witnessing in the streets is heartbreaking, and the president’s decision to deploy troops is a reckless move that only escalates tension,” Harris said. “This isn’t about public safety—it’s about political theater and fear.”

She went on to claim that many of the demonstrators were “mostly peaceful,” despite widespread reports of property damage, assaults on federal agents, and the looting of businesses in downtown Los Angeles.

Harris also took issue with the federal immigration raids, calling them “calculated acts of cruelty,” and accused the Trump administration of using enforcement actions to inflame racial and political tensions across the country.

In contrast, Trump has defended the ICE operations as necessary to uphold federal immigration law, stating that the agency is targeting individuals with criminal records and outstanding deportation orders.

“These aren’t random sweeps,” he emphasized. “ICE is doing its job, removing people who shouldn’t be here—many of whom have committed serious crimes.”

As protests continue to spread across the state, speculation has grown over whether Trump’s remarks about arresting Newsom were serious or simply a political jab. However, Trump’s repeated attacks on Newsom and his handling of California’s sanctuary state policies suggest the tension is far from political theater.

California, long a battleground between state and federal authority on immigration, remains a flashpoint in the national debate over border security and law enforcement. Newsom, a vocal opponent of federal immigration raids, has openly defied ICE’s presence in the state and encouraged local officials not to cooperate with federal agents.

For Trump and his allies, that resistance amounts to obstruction.

“He’s not above the law,” Trump said Monday. “If you’re helping people break federal law, you should be held accountable—even if you’re a governor.”

More protests are expected in Los Angeles and other California cities throughout the week, with security being tightened around federal buildings and immigration offices. As of now, the White House has not confirmed whether additional federal forces will be deployed.

With both sides digging in, the standoff over immigration enforcement in California may be entering its most volatile phase yet.