Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) slammed California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) for his handling of the Los Angeles protests that have ignited over the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids in the area. 

“You’ve got to look at our governor. First, he created a sanctuary state. Then, if you listen to the protesters. It’s really not about immigration. It’s about trying to take California back to Mexico. Look at the flags they’re waving. Look at what they’re saying,” McCarthy said during an episode of “Cats Roundtable” on WABC 770 AM that aired Sunday.

“I mean, and I don’t understand how Democrats are standing with that. I mean, whatever happened to law and order and safe streets. And look what they’re doing. They’re literally throwing fireballs at cop cars. They’re throwing bricks at officers,” McCarthy told host John Catsimatidis. “I mean, it is embarrassing.” 

Newsom’s office hit back at McCarthy in a statement to The Hill, accusing him of “chasing relevancy.”

“The former short-term speaker is chasing relevancy and has no idea what he’s talking about. This is simply incorrect. First, SB 54 was enacted before Governor Newsom took office. McCarthy should be fully aware of this,” Newsom’s office said.

“Second, our state laws do not conflict with any federal law. As a former representative of the California’s Central Valley, McCarthy’s disrespect for the diverse and rich community that help make this state and the region he represented great is abhorrent. Period. Full stop.” 

Newsom, along with Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass (D), has received heavy criticism from Republicans over their response to the Los Angeles protests that have seen violent protestors vandalizing a federal building and setting cars on fire. 

President Trump’s administration greenlighted the deployment of Marines and the National Guard to Los Angeles, arguing troops are needed to safeguard personnel and buildings. Newsom, Bass and other Democrats have slammed the move, contending the troops’ involvement would further inflame the situation. The Marines made their first temporary arrest of a protester in Los Angeles on Friday. 

Newsom has pushed back against the criticism, embracing the confrontation with Trump through interviews and public speeches. Some within the Democratic Party are arguing that the California governor, seen as one of the contenders for the party’s nomination in 2028, is taking the right approach amidst the blowback. 

“This is what Gavin does best. He is absolutely unapologetic about getting up in someone’s face and calling out their weaknesses. That’s why he’s so effective in going after Trump and MAGA Republicans,” one longtime Newsom ally told The Hill this week.