PoliticsCalifornia Governor Gavin Newsom Takes Aim at Donald Trump Amid Rising Tensions Over Immigration Raids
Governor Gavin Newsom criticized Donald Trump amid immigration raids, urging fair treatment for immigrants.
June 28 2025, Published 2:40 p.m. ET
In a strongly charged primetime address, California Governor Gavin Newsom fiercely criticized former President Donald Trump as protests flared in Los Angeles regarding recent immigration raids. The governor's comments came following a series of federal actions that have heightened tensions in the state, with thousands taking to the streets to voice their objections against the federal government's heavy-handed tactics.
California Governor Gavin Newsom criticized Donald Trump as tensions rise over immigration raids.
The protests erupted after agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted a series of raids in Los Angeles, primarily targeting undocumented immigrants. According to reports, Trump's administration responded by deploying 4,000 California National Guard soldiers and sending an additional 700 Marines to the area, a controversial move that Newsom vehemently opposed. This marked the first time since 1965 that a president had taken such action, altering the landscape of governance in the Golden State.
During the address, which captivated viewers across the nation, Newsom recounted troubling scenes from the recent raids.
He stated, "On Saturday morning, when federal agents jumped out of an unmarked van near a Home Depot parking lot, they began grabbing people, a deliberate targeting of a heavily Latino suburb."
He also recounted disturbing accounts of U.S. citizens getting caught in the crossfire, including a "nine months pregnant" woman who was apprehended and a "4-year-old girl taken" during the sweeping operations.
U.S. citizens have been caught in the crossfire of ICE operations in Los Angeles.
The governor emphasized the emotional toll this has placed on the residents of Los Angeles, stating, "Families separated, friends quite literally disappearing. In response, every day, Angelenos came out to exercise their constitutional right to free speech and assembly to protest their government's actions."
His remarks resonated with the crowd and served to amplify the anger surrounding Trump's immigration policy.
Newsom highlighted the complexities municipalities face in managing such protests, acknowledging that while Los Angeles police were deployed to maintain order, the situation was exacerbated by federal involvement.
He lamented, "What then ensued was the use of tear gas, flash bang grenades, rubber bullets, federal agents detaining people and undermining their due process rights."
These comments underscored a growing sentiment of frustration toward federal intervention in local affairs.
Thousands extended their protest to the 101 Freeway, clashing with CHP officers.
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According to political analysts, the governor's remarks represent not just a rebuttal to Trump's immigration policies, but also a call for accountability at the local level. Newsom stated that the state is currently challenging the federal troop deployments in court, revealing the ongoing struggle for power between state and federal governance. He did not hold back when expressing his disapproval of Trump's actions, labeling them as "brazen abuse of power."
"Trump and his loyalists, they thrive on division because it allows them to take more power and exert even more control," Newsom said passionately. This biting critique of Trump encapsulated a broader political narrative, as tensions continue to rise between the two leaders on diverging political ideologies.
Even as Newsom condemned the federal response, he called upon citizens to remain engaged, stating, "It's time for all of us to stand up."
His message resonated strongly with the demonstrators, many of whom expressed gratitude for his support. The governor particularly emphasized the importance of peaceful demonstrations, urging citizens to exercise their First Amendment rights in a constructive manner.
Gavin Newsom condemned the federal response and urged citizens to stand up.
As the protests continued to grow, many public observers noted that they are symptomatic of deeper societal issues regarding immigration policies and civil liberties. The 2020 presidential election and subsequent events have cast a spotlight on these matters, further entrenched by Trump's controversial rhetoric and policies.
Critics of the former president have suggested that his approach has intensified divisions within communities, leading to destructive consequences. Newsom invoked recent historical events to make his point: "What more evidence do we need than January 6th?" By drawing parallels to the Capitol riots, he painted a picture of the peril posed by unchecked power and divisive politics.
