California-Troop Showdown Reignites Trump vs. Newsom Rivalry/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ A legal and political showdown has erupted between President Donald Trump and California Governor Gavin Newsom over military deployment to manage immigration protests in Los Angeles.
Newsom is suing the administration, accusing Trump of authoritarian tactics, while Trump claims the deployment prevented chaos. This clash revives their long-running feud and elevates Newsom’s national profile as he eyes future presidential ambitions.
Trump vs. Newsom Escalates Over LA Troops – Quick Looks
- Trump federalized the National Guard in LA, citing crime and immigration chaos.
- Newsom sued the administration, calling the move unconstitutional and authoritarian.
- Trump accused Newsom of losing control, saying the military “saved his ass.”
- All 22 Democratic governors backed Newsom, calling the deployment a dangerous overreach.
- LA protests stem from immigration raids, with nearly 200 detained and multiple officers injured.
- Newsom accused Trump of bypassing protocol, saying he wasn’t notified of troop deployment in advance.
- This follows a brief period of cooperation, where Newsom and Trump appeared aligned over wildfire relief.
- Republicans support Trump’s actions, calling them necessary for law and order.
- Newsom used the moment to defend democracy, warning other states could be next.
- The feud raises Newsom’s national profile, fueling speculation about a 2028 presidential run.
Deep Look: Trump and Newsom’s Immigration Clash Sets Stage for 2028 Showdown
WASHINGTON — June 12, 2025 — A fierce political and constitutional battle has reignited between President Donald Trump and California Governor Gavin Newsom, centered on Trump’s controversial decision to deploy federalized troops to handle ongoing immigration protests in Los Angeles.
This high-stakes standoff has not only exposed a deepening rift between state and federal authority but also brought long-simmering personal animosity between two political heavyweights back to the forefront.
Troops on the Ground, Lawsuit in the Air
The immediate spark: Trump’s move to federalize the National Guard and position them in LA to assist with immigration enforcement. Newsom called it an “unmistakable step toward authoritarianism”, filing a federal lawsuit to block the military intervention.
“This is not law and order — this is political theater,” Newsom said in a fiery public address. “Democracy is under assault before our eyes.”
Trump, never one to back down from a public feud, responded on social media:
“Newsom has totally lost control… He should be saying THANK YOU for saving his ass!”
He claimed without the military, Los Angeles “would be a crime scene like we haven’t seen in years.”
Political Calculus: 2028 in the Background
The public clash comes just months after Newsom and Trump stood side by side at a wildfire site, exchanging praises and pledging cooperation.
Back then, Newsom thanked Trump for support during the COVID pandemic and disaster response. Political analysts now see that cordial phase as strategic positioning by Newsom to appeal to moderates ahead of a potential 2028 presidential bid.
“This is all about Gavin Newsom running for president,” conservative commentator Ben Shapiro said. “He’s becoming the face of resistance to Trump.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer offered praise: “He’s shown he’s not going to be intimidated.”
From Cooperation to Confrontation
Earlier this year, Newsom had praised Trump’s wildfire response and met with him in D.C. to request more federal disaster aid. He even started a podcast aimed at understanding and countering the appeal of Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement.
But that civility quickly evaporated after Trump’s decision to send in troops for immigration raids in Los Angeles without notifying the governor.
Newsom alleged the deployment aimed not at dangerous criminals but at politically motivated arrests, warning other Democratic-led states may soon face the same treatment.
Nationwide Support and Fallout
All 22 Democratic governors have now co-signed a statement condemning the troop deployment. Some of the highest-profile Democrats, including Illinois’ JB Pritzker, Pennsylvania’s Josh Shapiro, and Connecticut’s Ned Lamont, have offered full-throated backing for Newsom.
Meanwhile, Republican governors, such as Texas’ Greg Abbott and Florida’s Ron DeSantis, have praised Trump’s actions. DeSantis even offered to send Florida troops to assist, an offer Newsom firmly rejected.
“The way to put the fire out is to ensure law and order,” DeSantis said.
Immigration, Protests, and Public Safety
Los Angeles remains a flashpoint, with nearly 200 people detained during protests this week. Seven officers were reportedly injured. The protests are part of a broader outcry against Trump’s renewed immigration enforcement, including high-profile raids.
Local officials in cities like Austin, San Antonio, and Philadelphia are preparing for similar demonstrations, with many state leaders rejecting federal intervention.
Connecticut’s Ned Lamont warned, “Trump is a little too eager to militarize these situations.”
California Under Fire
California has long been in Trump’s crosshairs. From wildfire aid and homelessness to water rights and transgender rights, the Golden State frequently finds itself the symbolic villain in Trump’s rhetoric.
Most recently, the Trump administration moved to cut off federal funding for California’s high-speed rail project, criticized transgender-inclusive policies, and threatened legal action against schools that allow trans students to compete in girls’ sports.
On Thursday, Trump is expected to sign a new federal order blocking California’s vehicle emissions rules, further intensifying the legal battle between state and federal authority.
The Bigger Picture
What started as a dispute over immigration tactics has become a full-scale confrontation about executive power, states’ rights, and constitutional boundaries. Newsom has embraced the role of chief resistance figure, while Trump has framed himself as the only force capable of restoring law and order.
Whether this battle defines the 2025 political landscape or sets the tone for 2028, one thing is clear: the feud between Trump and Newsom is far from over — and it’s now a national referendum on leadership, power, and the future of democracy.
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