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(KTLA) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom responded to threats over the weekend by the Trump administration that he could be arrested if he interferes with ICE arrests of undocumented immigrants.
“He’s a tough guy, why doesn’t he do that? He knows where to find me,” Newsom said during an interview with MSNBC News on Sunday.
The governor also issued some strong statements toward the president and his administration’s crackdown on immigration.
“But, you know what? Lay your hands off 4-year-old girls that are trying to get educated. Lay your hands off these poor people that are just trying to live their lives, man. Trying to live their lives, paying their taxes … been here 10 years,” Newsom said.
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A firework sent by protesters explodes near by the Los Angeles Sheriff Department officers during immigration protest on June 7, 2025 in Paramount, California. Clashes between the U.S. Border Patrol and protestors began after a Home Depot was raided by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Around 30 agents wearing tactical gear were stationed near a Home Depot in Paramount and faced off against protesters, south of downtown Los Angeles.(Photo by Apu Gomes/Getty Images) -
Compton, CA June 7, 2025 Protestors run away from tear gas during a protest in Compton, Calif., Saturday, June 7, 2025, after federal immigration authorities conducted operations. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) -
A protester is seen among smoke as protests and confrontations between immigration rights supporters and law enforcement take place in Paramount and downtown Los Angeles, California, following recent raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agents on June 7, 2025. Demonstrators are seen using blockades and facing tear gas, flashbang grenades, and pepper ball shots, while rising tensions lead to damaged property across the affected areas. (Photo by Taurat Hossain/Anadolu via Getty Images) -
Fireworks explode in front of law enforcement as they face off with demonstrators during a protest following federal immigration operations, in the Compton neighborhood of Los Angeles, California early on June 8, 2025. US President Donald Trump deployed 2,000 troops on June 7 to handle escalating protests against immigration enforcement raids in the Los Angeles area, a move the state’s governor termed “purposefully inflammatory.” Federal agents clashed with angry crowds in a Los Angeles suburb as protests stretched into a second night Saturday, shooting flash-bang grenades and shutting part of a freeway amid raids on undocumented migrants, reports said. (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT / AFP) (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT/AFP via Getty Images) -
Demonstrators protest outside a downtown jail in Los Angeles following two days of clashes with police during a series of immigration raids on June 08, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Tensions in the city remain high after the Trump administration called in the National Guard against the wishes of city leaders. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) -
LAPD officers disperse demonstrators protesting outside a downtown jail in Los Angeles following two days of clashes with police during a series of immigration raids on June 08, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Tensions in the city remain high after the Trump administration called in the National Guard against the wishes of city leaders. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) -
National Guards are seen near the City Hall outside of the Metropolitan Detention Center in Los Angeles, California on June 8, 2025 as Trump deployed National Guard amid protests over immigration raids. (Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images) -
A Los Angeles Sheriff Department officers shot at protesters during immigration protest on June 7, 2025 in Paramount, California. Clashes between the U.S. Border Patrol and protestors began after a Home Depot was raided by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Around 30 agents wearing tactical gear were stationed near a Home Depot in Paramount and faced off against protesters, south of downtown Los Angeles.(Photo by Apu Gomes/Getty Images) -
Los Angeles, CA – June 06: DHS police stand guard at the Metropolitan Detention Center as protesters gather in response to ICE raids in Los Angeles on Friday, June 6, 2025 in Los Angeles, CA. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) -
Los Angeles, CA – June 07: A car burns in the middle of the intersection of Atlantic Ave. and E Alondra Blvd. during ICE protests on Saturday, June 7, 2025 in Los Angeles, CA. (Carlin Stiehl / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) -
Two Waymo taxis burn near the metropolitan detention center of downtown Los Angeles, Sunday, June 8, 2025, following last night’s immigration raid protest. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) -
A protester is detained in downtown Los Angeles, Sunday, June 8, 2025, following last night’s immigration raid protest. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer) -
A protester throws a smoke canister on the 101 Freeway near the Metropolitan Detention Center of downtown Los Angeles, Sunday, June 8, 2025, following last night’s immigration raid protest. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer) -
Protesters confront police on the 101 Freeway near the Metropolitan Detention Center of downtown Los Angeles, Sunday, June 8, 2025, following last night’s immigration raid protest. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) -
Two California Highway Patrol officers try to dodge rocks being thrown near the Metropolitan Detention Center in downtown Los Angeles, Sunday, June 8, 2025, following last night’s immigration raid protest. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) -
A police officer fires a soft round near the Metropolitan Detention Center in downtown Los Angeles, Sunday, June 8, 2025, following last night’s immigration raid protest. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer) -
Matt Hobbs uses milk after being teargassed near the Metropolitan Detention Center in downtown Los Angeles, Sunday, June 8, 2025, following last night’s immigration raid protest. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) -
Los Angeles, CA – June 06: LAPD clear the streets and checks on a man that fell down as protesters gather in response to ICE raids in Los Angeles on Friday, June 6, 2025 in Los Angeles, CA. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) -
Officers make their way down a ramp to the 101 Freeway near the Metropolitan Detention Center in downtown Los Angeles, Sunday, June 8, 2025, following last night’s immigration raid protest. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) -
Authorities stand in tear gas while trying to clear protesters at the metropolitan detention center in downtown Los Angeles, Sunday, June 8, 2025, following last night’s immigration raid protest. (AP Photo/Jae Hong) -
People take cover as a fire work explodes during a protest near the Metropolitan Detention Center in downtown Los Angeles, Sunday, June 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope) -
A protester displays a poster as tear gas is used in the metropolitan detention center of downtown Los Angeles, Sunday, June 8, 2025, following last night’s immigration raid protest. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer) -
Protesters clash with authorities in downtown Los Angeles, Sunday, June 8, 2025, following last night’s immigration raid protest. (AP Photo/Jae Hong) -
Maribel Parra screams as protesters confront a line of police near the metropolitan detention center of downtown Los Angeles, Sunday, June 8, 2025, following last night’s immigration raid protest. (AP Photo/Jae Hong)
The governor’s comments come in response to threats by President Donald Trump’s “border czar,” Tom Homan, to arrest anyone who obstructs the immigration enforcement effort, including Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, NBC News reported.
“I’ll say about anybody,” Homan told the television network. “You cross that line, it’s a felony to knowingly harbor and conceal an illegal alien. It’s a felony to impede law enforcement doing their job.”
For her part, Bass said Homan’s comments were unnecessary. “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,” she told NBC News.
Newsom and other Democratic leaders have criticized Trump’s use of the National Guard in trying to quell anti-ICE immigration protests that turned violent in Los Angeles over the weekend, saying the escalation in force will only lead to further trouble. Newsom also announced plans to sue the Trump administration over the deployment.
Meanwhile, Trump has indicated he would be willing to bring in the U.S. Marines if he felt the situation called for it. Trump also backed up Homan’s warning to officials, saying they will “face judges” if they stand in the way.
“Who the hell is this guy? Come after me, arrest me, let’s just get it over with, tough guy,” Newsom responded.
