California Gov. Gavin Newsom escalated tensions over federal immigration enforcement this weekend by openly challenging President Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, to arrest him.
The provocative remarks come as violent anti-ICE protests have rocked Los Angeles for several days, prompting the Trump administration to deploy thousands of National Guard troops to restore order.
Newsom’s defiant stance was expressed in a Sunday interview with NBC News, where he dismissed warnings from Homan that local leaders who obstruct immigration enforcement could face criminal charges.
“Come after me. Arrest me. Let’s just get it over with, tough guy,” Newsom said, rejecting responsibility for the escalating unrest in his state.
The Trump administration has taken a hard line in response to the chaos.
Over the weekend, widespread protests in Los Angeles turned confrontational as demonstrators clashed with ICE agents and law enforcement officials.
Video footage captured scenes of violence, vandalism and attempts to block deportation operations.
In reaction, Trump ordered the deployment of 2,000 California National Guard troops to help quell the disturbances and support federal immigration officers.
A senior administration official emphasized that the federal government was stepping in to restore law and order amid what they described as a breakdown in local