"Trump Administration Has No Intention to Arrest Governor Newsom—But Will Take Legal Action If He Crosses the Line," Says Tom Homan

"Trump Administration Has No Intention to Arrest Governor Newsom—But Will Take Legal Action If He Crosses the Line," Says Tom Homan

Los Angeles, June 10, 2025
Amid escalating protests and law enforcement tensions in Los Angeles, White House Border Affairs Chief Tom Homan told CBS News on Monday that the Trump administration has "no intention to arrest Governor Gavin Newsom," following President Trump’s earlier remarks suggesting the possibility.

Homan said, “The issue has been misrepresented. They haven't crossed the line yet... If anyone breaks the law—whether a governor, mayor, or anyone—if they commit crimes against ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) officers, we will prosecute.”

The Trump administration and Governor Newsom have sharply criticized each other over the protests that erupted in response to ICE raids in Los Angeles. President Trump accused Newsom of failing to control the violence and ordered the deployment of Marines and the National Guard. In response, Newsom filed a lawsuit opposing the deployment and accused Trump of inflaming the situation.

Previously, Homan had hinted that elected officials who obstruct ICE operations could face arrest. In an interview with NBC News on Saturday, he did not explicitly deny the possibility of arresting Newsom or L.A. Mayor Karen Bass—though he also did not confirm it. He simply stated, “Bass hasn’t crossed the line yet.”

Later, Newsom fired back with a challenge: “Come and get me, tough guy!”
On Monday, when asked about Newsom's arrest, Trump said, “If I were Tom Homan, I’d do it,” and added, “Gavin loves the spotlight, but it would’ve been great.”

However, speaking to CBS, Homan clarified that the Justice Department would be responsible for determining if anyone interfered with ICE operations:
“There’s no plan to arrest the governor right now. I don’t know if he’s crossed the line.”

In the interview, Homan defended the deployment of the National Guard to Los Angeles as “absolutely necessary,” citing property damage and assaults on ICE agents by protesters.

Newsom’s Response:
The governor’s office argued that the federal government illegally deployed the National Guard without state authorization, and filed a lawsuit on Monday. Local officials contended that military deployment could further inflame tensions and that local law enforcement was capable of managing the situation.

The administration also deployed 700 Marines in support of the National Guard.
Newsom’s office stated: “This level of escalation is completely unjustified, unnecessary, and unprecedented.”