Last week, immigration raids were carried out by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) with the support of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in selected neighborhoods of Los Angeles, in particular those with a large Latino population. Officially, only those suspected of immigration violations were arrested and/or placed in the Metropolitan Detention Center downtown. In just a few days, over a hundred people were arrested, including some 40 on June 6.
However, these arrests were judged to be arbitrary and brutal by immigrant rights association. Gavin Newsom, the Governor of the State of California agreed. « On Saturday morning, when federal agents jumped out of an unmarked van near a Home Depot parking lot, they began grabbing people. A deliberate targeting of a heavily Latino suburb. A similar scene also played out when a clothing company was raided downtown. In other actions: a US citizen, 9 months pregnant – arrested. A four-year-old girl – taken. Families separated. Friends disappearing », he declared.
The City of Angels takes exception
These migration raids sparked outrage among many witnesses and social network users who have viewed videos of the arrests shared on various platforms. Thousands of Los Angeles residents therefore took to the streets on the evening of June 6. They brandished signs such as « FUCK ICE » and « NO NAZI IN LA » to protest against what was described as « mass roundup« .
As tensions mounted and clashes between protesters and law enforcement multiplied, Donald Trump accused California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass of being incompetent and unable to control the situation. The U.S. President therefore ordered a massive deployment of federal troops. First 2,000 National Guardsmen on June 7, then 2,000 more, as well as 700 Marines on June 9. This deployment was unprecedented since the 1992 riots. It was justified by the need to quell « paid troublemakers » and agents of a « foreign invasion« .
« The very incompetent ‘Governor,’ Gavin Newscum, and ‘Mayor,’ Karen Bass, should be saying, ‘THANK YOU, PRESIDENT TRUMP, YOU ARE SO WONDERFUL. WE WOULD BE NOTHING WITHOUT YOU, SIR », wrote Donald Trump on Truth Social, his social network.
California’s governor denounces the militarization of the crisis
In a shock speech, marked by very strong words and delivered on 10 June, Gavin Newson criticised Donald Trump’s migration policy and military response. He also announced that he had filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration. He attempts to block military interventions that he deems illegal, arguing that the U.S. President does not have the constitutional power to federalise the military without his consent and coordination. « These are men and women trained in foreign combat, not domestic law enforcement. 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 », he explained. Newson also pointed out that Trump had not called on the National Guard for the assault on the Capitol on 6 January 2021.
The Democrats’ figure also insisted that California has never refused to enforce immigration laws. It has always done so with humanity and discernment, unlike Trump’s policy of « indiscriminately targeting hardworking immigrant families, regardless of their roots or risk ».
Gavin Newsom denounced the violence of the migration raids and described the situation as « authoritarianism ». « When Donald Trump sought blanket authority to commandeer the National Guard, he made that order apply to every state in this nation. This is about all of us. This is about you. 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 », he added.
He concluded his speech by calling Californians to peaceful resistance. « At this moment, we must all stand up and be held to a higher level of accountability. If you exercise your First Amendment rights, please do so peacefully. I know many of you are feeling deep anxiety, stress, and fear. But I want you to know that YOU are the antidote to that fear and anxiety. What Donald Trump wants most is your fealty. Your silence. To be complicit in this moment. Do NOT give in to him », he demanded.
When two worlds collide
Donald Trump and Gavin Newsom are currently engaged in a veritable ideological battle. On the one hand, the Republican president relies on a rhetoric of firmness. He promises to stop the invasion of those he calls « illegal aliens » and to restore order by any means necessary, including military force. His policy of mass deportations, with a stated target of 3,000 forced departures per day, is in line with his presidential campaign. It focuses on national security and border defense.
In opposition, Gavin Newsom represents one of the most progressive states in the country. He defends an inclusive vision of American society and the protection of minority and immigrant rights. He frontally opposes militarization as a response to social crises, and denounces the criminalization of migrants and protest movements.
This confrontation goes far beyond the scale of the state of California. It pits two visions of American society against each other, one refocused on order and national sovereignty, the other on welcome and social justice. The demonstrations in Los Angeles have thus become the symbol of a deeply polarized America.
Are we witnessing a foretaste of the 2028 presidential campaign?
With Gavin Newsom already considered a potential White House candidate for the 2028 presidential election, and even though the Constitution does not allow Donald Trump to run for a third term, this verbal joust could well foreshadow the next presidential campaign.
Gavin Newsom’s ability to mobilize public opinion, take legal action and stand up to the White House puts him at the center of the national political game. As such, the current crisis could be an opportunity for the governor to establish his image as a leader of the Democratic opposition, ready to oppose Donald Trump and his allies head-on, and to defend progressive values.
As for Donald Trump, he could attempt to amend the Constitution in order to run for a third term. However, it seems unlikely that this would work. Even so, the U.S. president leaves his intentions open to doubt. And even if he is unable to represent the Republicans in 2028, Donald Trump will have paved the way for his successor, a convinced MAGA, he hopes. Indeed, he intends to capitalize on the firmness of his methods to strengthen his electoral base. He is convinced that only an iron fist can restore order and protect the borders.
The extreme polarization around the migration issue, exacerbated by the images of chaos in Los Angeles, will undoubtedly dominate political debate over the next few years. Thus, the confrontation between Trump and Newsom over the protests in the heart of the City of Angels goes beyond the simple management of a local crisi. It could herald a major ideological and political battle, the outcome of which could shape the face of America for years to come.
