During the weekend in Los Angeles, riots broke out against the current raids and deportation efforts of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This prompted President Donald Trump to send 2,000 National Guard troops to quell the rioting.

California Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the White House for its actions regarding the riots in an interview with MSNBC on Monday. He called the deployment of the National Guard “an illegal act, an immoral act, an unconstitutional act,’ and declared he will sue the administration for it. 

Newsom also criticized the Department of Defense for not working with the state in deploying the national guard. He similarly criticized ICE for not cooperating with the state. 

The governor then called out the reckless protesters damaging property and the effect their actions have wrought on the city, while also claiming that Trump “is the sponsor of these conditions.” Trump’s National Guard deployment, according to Newsom, is indicative of “authoritarian tendencies”: 

“We’re case in point… to nationalizing, federalizing the national guard,” he claimed. “Donald Trump needs to pull back, he needs to stand down. This is Donald Trump’s problem and if he can’t solve it we will.” 

“There’s no working with the President, there is only working for him: and I will never work for Donald Trump,” Newsom further stated.  

As to the involvement of the White House in the riots, Newsom said local law enforcement was not requesting additional resources. The National Guard’s deployment was therefore unnecessary and something that exacerbated the situation, he claimed. 

US border czar Tom Homan hinted Saturday that anyone interfering in the actions of ICE – including public officials like Newsom and LA Mayor Karen Bass – could be arrested. This prompted an impassioned response from Newsom in his interview with MSNBC: 

“He’s a tough guy. Why doesn’t he do that? He knows where to find me,” Newsom said. He suggested that Homan divert ICE from targeting vulnerable migrants. “The hell are they doing? These guys need to grow up. They need to stop, and we need to push back. And I’m sorry to be so clear, but that kind of bloviating is exhausting. So, Tom, arrest me. Let’s go.”

President Trump defends his decision to send the National Guard. This, he claimed, prevented the city of Los Angeles from being “obliterated” by the riots.

Moreover, Trump said ICE should arrest the California governor.

“I would do it, if I were Tom,” Trump stated to reporters. “Gavin likes the publicity, but I think it would be a great thing.”