California Gov. Gavin Newsom called on Trump administration border czar Tom Homan to arrest him amid the federal crackdown on anti-ICE protestors in his state.
Homan had previously warned that immigration operations and federal personnel would continue in Los Angeles and threatened to arrest anyone who obstructed immigration enforcement effort, including Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, despite claiming that neither had “crossed the line” yet.
“He’s a tough guy. Why doesn’t he do that? He knows where to find me,” Newsom said of Homan via NBC News on Sunday (June 8). “That kind of bloviating is exhausting. So, Tom, arrest me. Let’s go.”
“Come after me. Arrest me. Let’s just get it over with, tough guy,” he added.
Bass also publicly dismissed Homan’s threat, saying she opposed the Trump administration’s decision to deploy National Guard troops but had no intention to brawl with the federal government.
“He had absolutely positively no reason to even say that,” Bass said via NBC News. “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.”
President Donald Trump echoed Homan’s threats, telling reporters on Sunday that “officials who stand in the way of law and order” would “face judges” following the decision to deploy 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles. The White House issued a statement announcing the deployment of National Guard troops to Los Angeles Saturday (June 7) night.
“In recent days, violent mobs have attacked ICE Officers and Federal Law Enforcement Agents carrying out basic deportation operations in Los Angeles, California,” the statement reads. “These operations are essential to halting and reversing the invasion of illegal criminals into the United States. In the wake of this violence, California’s feckless Democrat leaders have completely abdicated their responsibility to protect their citizens. That is why President Trump has signed a Presidential Memorandum deploying 2,000 National Guardsmen to address the lawlessness that has been allowed to fester. The Trump Administration has a zero tolerance policy for criminal behavior and violence, especially when that violence is aimed at law enforcement officers trying to do their jobs. These criminals will be arrested and swiftly brought to justice. The Commander-in-Chief will ensure the laws of the United States are executed fully and completely.”
The protests followed demonstrations over ICE operations across the city on Friday after federal agents raided multiple workplaces resulting in hundreds of people, including children, being detained, according to the American Civil Liberties Union. Large crowds gathered near the federal building on Friday, which resulted in some clashes with authorities, while was followed by protests on Saturday where Border Patrol agents were posted up nearby, resulting in more clashes with demonstrators and footage showing smoke projectiles being deployed.
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