LA protests live updates: Trump says would be 'great' if Homan arrests Newsom
President Donald Trump said Monday he thinks it would be a "great thing" if border czar Tom Homan arrests California Gov. Gavin Newsom.
"I would do it if I were Tom. I think it's great," Trump said as he arrived at the White House from Camp David. "Gavin likes the publicity, but I think it would be a great thing."
President Donald Trump arrives on the South Lawn of the White House, June 9, 2025, in Washington.
Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters
Newsom responded on social media, writing, "The President of the United States just called for the arrest of a sitting Governor. This is a day I hoped I would never see in America. I don’t care if you’re a Democrat or a Republican this is a line we cannot cross as a nation -- this is an unmistakable step toward authoritarianism."
Trump called the protesters "professional agitators" and "insurrectionists, bad people."
"They should be in jail," Trump said at the White House.
California Highway Patrol officers clear protestors who were blocking the 101 freeway on June 08, 2025 in Los Angeles.
Mario Tama/Getty Images
Ahead of his arrival at the White House, Trump on social media stood by his decision to send the National Guard to Los Angeles. He also argued that Newsom and LA Mayor Karen Bass were not grateful enough for his assistance, despite both officials stating that Trump’s move escalated the violence.
Trump wrote, "The very incompetent 'Governor,' Gavin Newscum, and 'Mayor,' Karen Bass, should be saying, 'THANK YOU, PRESIDENT TRUMP, YOU ARE SO WONDERFUL. WE WOULD BE NOTHING WITHOUT YOU, SIR.'"
-ABC News’ Lalee Ibssa
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