California Governor Gavin Newsom is gaining traction among Democrats for his strong opposition to President Trump’s deployment of the National Guard in Los Angeles without his consent, following ICE raid protests. Newsom accused Trump of deliberately escalating the situation and abusing his authority.California Governor Gavin Newsom is back in the national spotlight as he stood up against US president Donald Trump over the protests of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids in Los Angeles, which has led to his increased support among Democrats, as per a report.
Tension in Los Angeles, the biggest city in Newsom’s state, escalated when, to tackle the protests against ICE raids, Trump sent the National Guard without Newsom’s consent, as per The Hill. While, the US president justified his decision by arguing that things were going out of control on Newsom’s watch, but Newsom and Democrats argued that Trump deliberately provoked a larger confrontation and escalated the situation, reported The Hill.
Democratic strategist Jamal Simmons said, “While it’s been a horrible week for the country, Gov. Newsom has been a credible voice of so many people’s discontent and anxiety about Trump’s America,” adding, “Democrats want people who can take on Donald Trump, and he is seen as someone who has been taking him on,” as quoted in the report.
While, Democratic strategist Basil Smikle highlighted that Newsom has done well at framing Trump’s actions as a “massive overreaction and abuse of authority,” adding, “When voters say they want a fight, this is what they’re referring to — even as Trump threatens Newsom’s arrest,” quoted The Hill.
California governor’s popularity among the Democratic Party has increased since he started speaking directly to the public in speeches, interviews, and off-the-cuff remarks and is even calling out Trump on social platform X, as per the report.
A long-time ally of Newsom told The Hill, “This is what Gavin does best,” adding, “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,” as quoted in the report.
During a speech on Tuesday, Newsom told the crowd, “What Donald Trump wants most is your fealty. Your silence. To be complicit in this moment,” he said during his speech. “Do not give it to him,” quoted The Hill.
He pointed out that, “If some of us can be snatched off the streets without a warrant — based only on suspicion or skin color — then none of us are safe,” adding, “Authoritarian regimes begin by targeting people who are least able to defend themselves, but they do not stop there,” as quoted in the report.
Newsom emphasised, “This is about all of us. This is about you,” adding, “California may be first — but it clearly won’t end there. Other states are next. Democracy is next,” quoted The Hill.
What exactly did Trump do in LA?
He sent in the National Guard to Los Angeles without the governor’s permission, following protests against ICE raids.
How did Newsom respond?
Newsom accused Trump of trying to provoke chaos and called the deployment a power grab. He has spoken out strongly in speeches and online.
