Gavin Newsom Blames Trump for LA Tensions as Pete Hegseth De.fen..ds National Guard Deployment

California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) once again found himself at odds with President Trump and the Pentagon, accusing them of “lying to the American people” to justify the deployment of National Guard troops in Los Angeles amid protests against federal immigration raids.

Newsom’s sharp criticism follows growing unrest in the city, where protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) escalated into violent clashes.

However, Newsom’s refusal to accept the federal response reveals more about his inability to manage the situation effectively and his continued political grandstanding at the expense of public safety.

Newsom’s remarks came after the Pentagon’s Rapid Response Twitter account claimed that "Los Angeles is burning, and local leaders are refusing to respond."

In response, Newsom blasted the federal government, accusing Trump of “manufacturing a crisis” and inflaming the situation in California. “The situation became escalated when THEY deployed troops,” Newsom tweeted, blaming the federal government for exacerbating the unrest.

He further stated, “Donald Trump has manufactured a crisis and is inflaming conditions. He clearly can’t solve this, so California will.”

While Newsom continues to deflect responsibility, the reality of the situation is that the protests in Los Angeles had already escalated before Trump’s decision to deploy National Guard troops.

For several days, demonstrations turned violent, with mobs attacking federal law enforcement officers carrying out basic deportation operations. Trump’s decision to send 2,000 National Guard members to the area was based on the growing threat posed by these violent mobs, which put both law enforcement and citizens at risk.

Newsom’s focus on political posturing and finger-pointing has only served to delay the response needed to restore order and protect the people of Los Angeles.

Instead of recognizing the severity of the situation and supporting necessary federal intervention, Newsom continued to attack President Trump, refusing to accept help that could mitigate the violence and protect local law enforcement.

Trump’s White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, defended the deployment, explaining that it was necessary to protect federal personnel and maintain law and order in the face of violent mobs.

“The people that are causing the problem are professional agitators. They’re insurrectionists. They’re bad people. They should be in jail,” Trump remarked on Monday, emphasizing the need for swift action to restore peace.

This is not a time for political games—it is a time to address public safety and uphold the rule of law.

Furthermore, the U.S. Northern Command confirmed that approximately 700 U.S. Marines were prepared to deploy to Los Angeles if needed, signaling the seriousness of the situation.

Despite these critical measures to safeguard citizens and law enforcement, Newsom continued to criticize the federal response. He has demanded that the National Guard troops be pulled from the streets, calling the deployment “unlawful” and threatening to sue the Trump administration over its actions.

David Sapp, Newsom’s legal affairs secretary, wrote to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, urging him to rescind the order and return control of the National Guard to California.

However, it is evident that Newsom’s objections are politically motivated rather than based on a genuine concern for public safety. The situation in Los Angeles was spiraling out of control long before the deployment of National Guard troops, and Newsom’s refusal to acknowledge the severity of the situation only undermines his ability to lead effectively.

In contrast, Pete Hegseth, the Defense Secretary, has shown strong leadership in this crisis, recognizing the need to act decisively to protect Americans.

Hegseth is no stranger to leading during moments of national importance, and his commitment to upholding the law is evident in the measures he has taken to restore order in Los Angeles.

In response to Newsom’s repeated attacks, Hegseth has remained focused on the larger picture: ensuring that the safety and security of the American people come first.

During a recent exchange on social media, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell fired back at Newsom, saying, “LA is on FIRE right now, but instead of tackling the issue, Gavin Newsom is spending his time attacking Secretary Hegseth.

Unlike Newsom, [Hegseth] isn’t afraid to lead.” This exchange highlights the contrasting approaches of Newsom and Hegseth. While Newsom’s reaction has been primarily focused on scoring political points and criticizing the federal government, Hegseth has been unflinching in his determination to take action and ensure the safety of Los Angeles residents.

The fact that Newsom has engaged in a public war of words with Hegseth and Trump demonstrates his reluctance to take responsibility for the escalating situation in his own state.

Instead of stepping up as a leader and managing the crisis, Newsom has opted to deflect blame and focus on his political feud with the President. His inability to effectively address the unrest in Los Angeles has left the federal government with no choice but to intervene.

The deployment of National Guard troops, and the potential deployment of Marines, is not about political maneuvering—it is about ensuring the safety of citizens and preventing further violence.

Trump’s administration has been consistent in its approach to law and order. When local authorities fail to maintain peace and protect citizens, the federal government must step in.

The deployment of National Guard troops and Marines is a necessary measure to restore order and protect the people of Los Angeles. Newsom’s refusal to cooperate with these efforts only further illustrates his lack of leadership and his unwillingness to take decisive action when it matters most.

In addition to his demands to withdraw troops, Newsom has also referred to the deployment of Marines as “deranged behavior,” a comment that shows just how far he is willing to go to criticize the federal government.

His comments about Pete Hegseth, calling him “a joke,” are indicative of a larger pattern of deflection and evasion. Newsom’s political rhetoric does nothing to address the actual problems at hand, and his continued attacks on the Trump administration only serve to undermine the efforts to restore peace in Los Angeles.

In conclusion, the ongoing conflict in Los Angeles highlights the failure of Governor Gavin Newsom to manage a crisis effectively and the success of President Trump and Secretary Hegseth in taking decisive action to protect the American people.

Newsom’s politically charged attacks on Trump and Hegseth only distract from the real issue: the safety and security of Los Angeles residents. By refusing to take responsibility for his state’s failures, Newsom has forced the federal government to intervene, and it is clear that Trump and Hegseth are doing what is necessary to ensure peace and security.

The need for strong leadership has never been more apparent, and in this case, it is the Trump administration that has demonstrated the resolve and determination to handle the crisis, while Newsom continues to play politics.