NEWSOM UNDER FIRE as Riot Activity Escalates

Gavin Newsom. Governor, California, Leftist

While Los Angeles descended into chaos during anti-ICE riots, California Governor Gavin Newsom was busy filing lawsuits to remove federal troops rather than protecting citizens—a dereliction of duty that gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton is using to fuel his campaign for change.

Key Takeaways

  • President Trump deployed 700 U.S. Marines and National Guard troops to Los Angeles to quell violent anti-ICE riots that local leadership failed to contain
  • California gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton has launched a scathing critique of Governor Newsom’s leadership, calling him “totally shameless” for condemning ICE raids while ignoring public safety
  • Rather than supporting law enforcement efforts, Newsom filed a lawsuit attempting to remove federal troops sent to restore order
  • The riots highlight the larger failure of long-term Democratic leadership in California, where issues of homelessness, crime, and high taxes continue unaddressed
  • The crisis represents a significant shift in immigration enforcement under Trump’s second term, moving from border security to interior enforcement

Federal Intervention Required as California Leadership Fails

As anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles spiraled into destructive riots, President Trump took decisive action by deploying 700 U.S. Marines and National Guard troops to restore order in the city. The federal intervention came after local and state officials, including Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass, failed to effectively contain the violence that erupted in response to immigration enforcement operations. The situation has become a flashpoint in California politics, with gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton using the crisis to highlight what he describes as catastrophic leadership failures under Democratic control.

Rather than working with federal authorities to restore peace, Governor Newsom took the extraordinary step of filing a lawsuit to remove the federal troops dispatched by President Trump. This action has drawn sharp criticism from political opponents who argue that Newsom appears more concerned with political posturing than protecting California citizens and businesses from rioters. The governor’s response has been characterized as prioritizing opposition to Trump’s immigration policies over public safety concerns.

Hilton’s On-the-Ground Assessment

Steve Hilton, now running for California governor, provided a firsthand account of the destruction in Los Angeles, positioning himself as a law-and-order alternative to Newsom’s leadership. Hilton has been particularly vocal about what he perceives as Newsom’s abdication of responsibility during the crisis. In recent media appearances, Hilton condemned the governor’s response, suggesting that Newsom’s priorities are fundamentally misaligned with the needs of California residents who are concerned about safety and stability.

Hilton’s campaign is leveraging the crisis to illustrate broader criticisms of Democratic governance in California. He has pointed to the riots as symptomatic of larger policy failures, including the state’s approach to homelessness, crime, and economic management. The gubernatorial candidate argues that decades of one-party rule have led to deteriorating conditions that are driving residents and businesses to leave the state in search of more affordable and safer environments elsewhere.

Shifting Immigration Enforcement Priorities

The Los Angeles riots represent a significant shift in immigration policy under President Trump’s second term. While previous efforts focused primarily on border security and wall construction, the administration has now expanded its focus to include more aggressive interior enforcement. The ICE operations that sparked the protests are part of a broader strategy to address the estimated 10 million illegal immigrants who entered during the previous administration. This approach reflects Trump’s campaign promises to enforce immigration laws more stringently.

Conservative critics of California’s leadership point to the state’s sanctuary policies as contributing factors in the current crisis. These policies, which limit cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities, have been a long-standing point of contention between California and federal officials. Hilton and other critics argue that such policies undermine the rule of law and national sovereignty while creating confusion about jurisdictional authority during crises like the recent riots.

Media Coverage and Political Implications

The coverage of the anti-ICE riots has itself become a subject of political debate. Conservative commentators have criticized mainstream media outlets, particularly CNN, for allegedly downplaying the violence and destruction while emphasizing protester grievances. In contrast, social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) have been credited with enabling more transparent coverage of events on the ground, allowing viewers to see unfiltered footage of the riots and their aftermath.

As California approaches its gubernatorial election, the handling of the riots may prove to be a defining issue. Hilton’s campaign is attempting to frame the contest as a referendum on Newsom’s leadership and the broader Democratic approach to governance in the state. The candidate is appealing to voters frustrated with what they see as misplaced priorities from state leadership that emphasize progressive political positioning over practical governance and public safety concerns.