“If Deploying the National Guard to Suppress Riots Is a Crime, Then Arrest Me” — Tom Homan Challenges Governor Over ICE Operation Amid Los Angeles Riots

“If Deploying the National Guard to Suppress Riots Is a Crime, Then Arrest Me” — Tom Homan Challenges Governor Over ICE Operation Amid Los Angeles Riots

During protests against ICE in Los Angeles, Governor Gavin Newsom, a liberal Democrat, challenged federal officials by saying, "Arrest me," prompting a response from Trump’s border advisor Tom Homan on Fox News’ Fox & Friends program.

“If he’s brave, then arrest me. He knows where I am. Come get me, arrest me, end this. Brave man! I don’t care personally, but I care about my community… And sorry if I’m being blunt, but I’m tired of hearing this kind of nonsense. ‘Tom, arrest me,’” Newsom had said.

The New York Post reported that Homan had previously warned that if Governor Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass obstruct the ICE operation, they could face federal charges.

On Monday on Fox News, Homan said he told an NBC reporter, “No one is above the law,” but there was no direct discussion about arresting Newsom.

“We talked about those who have crossed the border illegally… You can protest, that’s your First Amendment right… but when you assault ICE officers, destroy property, interfere with law enforcement, or knowingly harbor illegal immigrants… that is a crime. And the Trump administration will not tolerate it,” Homan said.

“Then the reporter asked me, could Newsom or Mayor Bass be arrested? I said, ‘No one is above the law. If they commit a crime, it is certainly possible,’ but there was no direct discussion of arrests.”

Tom Homan also criticized the violent reactions during the protests against ICE in Democratic-run California. Protesters threw objects at police, set American flags and cars on fire.

President Donald Trump deployed 2,000 National Guard troops to control the situation, which caused discontent among Democratic leaders.

“What Newsom did shows he is running his state poorly. The city is burning, people are injured, officers are attacked — and he stayed silent for two days. Then he declared an ‘unlawful assembly,’” Homan said.

“He acted late. But President Trump or ICE members did not delay.”

The violence started when ICE officials launched an operation targeting undocumented residents in Los Angeles, which last November declared itself a “sanctuary city” protecting undocumented immigrants.

Homan explained that the ICE operation targeted a business suspected of money laundering, customer fraud, and sending money to Latin American criminal networks.

Governor Newsom also criticized the ICE operation, calling it “disorganized and reckless.”