During an NBC News interview on Saturday, President Donald Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, was asked whether Democratic officials in California—specifically Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and Governor Gavin Newsom—could face arrest if they attempted to obstruct lawful U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations.
Homan, speaking as National Guard troops were preparing for deployment to riot-ravaged L.A., underscored that the same laws apply to anyone who “cross[es] that line,” stating, “It’s a felony to knowingly harbor and conceal an illegal alien. It’s a felony to impede law enforcement from doing their job.”
“Governor Newsom is an embarrassment for this state,” continued the border czar. “He supports sanctuary cities. He supports sanctuary laws. If he cared about public safety in the state of California, he would not have a sanctuary for criminals — where criminals get released to the streets of this state every day because of his policies.”
On Sunday, Newsom issued a fiery response to Homan’s threat while appearing on MSNBC just hours after Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell acknowledged that law enforcement was “overwhelmed,” and shortly after rioters hurled rocks at California Highway Patrol officers near the Metropolitan Detention Center in downtown Los Angeles.
Instead of condemning the foreign flag-waving agitators obstructing ICE operations and assaulting law enforcement in his crime-plagued sanctuary state—scenes that were visibly playing on the screen behind him—Newsom used most of his airtime to portray the unrest as a consequence of Trump and his administration’s efforts to enforce immigration laws.
“Donald Trump has created the conditions that you see on your TV tonight,” said Newsom, who Trump said on Sunday should “apologize to the people of Los Angeles.” “He’s exacerbated the conditions. He’s, you know, lit the proverbial match. He is putting fuel on this fire every since he announced he was taking over the National Guard.”
On Monday, Trump responded to reporters who asked whether Homan should go arrest Newsom, to which Trump responded that he should. “I would do it if I were Tom. I think it’s great. Gavin likes the publicity.”
PLAY:
? #BREAKING: President Trump says Tom
Homan should ARREST Gavin Newsom“I would do it if I were Tom!”
DO IT @RealTomHoman! Newsom is AIDING AND ABETTING criminals and OBSTRUCTING federal law! pic.twitter.com/MOlpET96eo
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) June 9, 2025
When asked about Homan’s comments regarding possible arrests for those impeding law enforcement operations, Newsom said, “He’s a tough guy. Why doesn’t he do that? He knows where to find me.” After claiming those illegal aliens whom the Trump administration is attempting to remove from the U.S. as “poor people who’re just trying to … live their lives, man,” Newsom added, “[Who] the hell is this guy? Come after me. Arrest me. Let’s just get it over with, tough guy. You know? I don’t give a damn.”
The White House addressed Newsom’s tirade in subsequent comments. White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson told Blaze News, “Governor Newsom should focus on stopping the violent riots and attacks on law enforcement that are consuming Los Angeles instead of political posturing for the TV cameras.” She added: “The entire country can see the chaos and lawlessness. Newsom should be embarrassed.”
