Gavin Newsom issues warning after Trump’s crackdown in LA: ‘Democracy is next’
The military presence in Los Angeles after four days of protests against immigration raids has reached a dangerous precipice for American democracy, Gov. Gavin Newsom warned in a live video address streamed on social media to Americans Tuesday evening.
Newsom said President Donald Trump’s move to take control of the California National Guard and deploy hundreds of Marines to control protests in downtown Los Angeles has moved well beyond Trump’s intent to arrest and deport violent undocumented criminals.
Clad in a navy suit in front of the United States and California state flags, the governor called on Americans to “stand up” and “reflect on this perilous moment.”
“This isn’t just about protests in L.A. When Donald Trump sought blanket authority to commandeer the National Guard, he made that order apply to every state in this nation,” Newsom said in the nearly nine-minute video.
“California may be first, but it clearly won’t end here. Other states are next. Democracy is next.”
“Democracy is under assault right before our eyes; the moment we’ve feared has arrived,” Newsom said. “He’s taking a wrecking ball to our Founding Fathers’ historic project.”
He criticized Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s “deliberate targeting of a heavily Latino suburb” and for “indiscriminately targeting hardworking immigrant families, regardless of their roots or risk.”
The governor pointed to Trump’s moves since taking office in January to threaten funding for universities with diversity, equity and inclusion offices or policies, target law firms, delegitimize news organizations and call for the governor’s arrest.
Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta filed a legal challenge to the federalization of the National Guard, which is set for a hearing on Thursday. Earlier today, a judge denied the governor’s request to block Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth from sending more guard members to L.A.
“These are men and women trained in foreign combat, not domestic law enforcement,” Newsom said in his social media remarks. “We honor their service. We honor their bravery. But we do not want our streets militarized by our own Armed Forces. Not in L.A. Not in California. Not anywhere.”
Trump, his administration and Republicans in Congress have blasted Newsom and L.A. Mayor Karen Bass for the protests. Trump on Monday endorsed Newsom’s arrest, though border czar Tom Homan acknowledged the governor has committed no crime.
The president responded to Newsom’s speech Wednesday morning with two posts on his social media platform, Truth Social, claiming that “if our troops didn’t go into Los Angeles, it would be burning to the ground right now” and calling Newsom “incompetent.”
“This brazen abuse of power by a sitting President inflamed a combustible situation, putting our people, our officers, and the National Guard at risk,” Newsom said.
The governor called the act of protest “the antidote to fear and anxiety” and urged demonstrators to do so peacefully, adding that violence and “criminal behavior will not be tolerated.”
“What Donald Trump wants most is your fealty, your silence. To be complicit in this moment,” he said.
“Do not give it to him.”
This story was originally published June 10, 2025 at 7:57 PM with the headline "Gavin Newsom issues warning after Trump’s crackdown in LA: ‘Democracy is next’."
