California Governor Gavin Newsom has accused President Donald Trump of lying about their phone conversation prior to the federalisation of 2,000 National Guard troops in Los Angeles, calling him a “stone cold liar”. In an interview with the New York Times podcast The Daily, Newsom condemned the deployment as “theatre” and “madness”, and questioned the president’s mental fitness.
The federalisation, the first of its kind in over 50 years, occurred amid ongoing protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids in the LA area. Newsom described the move as unconstitutional and a “provocation”, adding that US Marines are now being added to support arrests. He claimed the tactics were used to “disappear” people unlawfully rather than confront protesters who have destroyed property near an ICE facility.
Newsom said the federalised troops were diverted from border duties and forest clearance work, and now require police protection due to public anger. “This is theatre, it’s madness, it’s unconstitutional, it’s immoral,” he said. “It puts people’s lives at risk, these people are being used as pawns.” He also criticised the “thuggish behaviour” of the Trump administration in ordering the military onto city streets.
The governor revealed that his 15-year-old daughter came home from school crying over fears he might be arrested. “I said that doesn’t matter, what matters is the military on the streets,” Newsom said. “I am worried about you, I’m worried about this country.” He warned that US democracy is under threat from presidential overreach, calling it “a serious and profound moment in American history”.
Los Angeles saw calmer conditions on Wednesday evening, with Mayor Karen Bass noting that only a limited area was under curfew and no looting occurred overnight. However, several hundred further arrests were made late Wednesday as protests continued. At a press conference, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem suggested without evidence that protesters might be funded by “NGOs” and unions, and said Newsom had not returned her calls.
