House Speaker Mike Johnson has unleashed a verbal storm on California Governor Gavin Newsom, accusing him of fumbling the response to chaotic riots in Los Angeles.
According to the New York Post, the drama, sparked by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids, has spiraled into a full-blown clash between state and federal powers, with Johnson calling for Newsom to be “tarred and feathered,” President Trump federalizing the California National Guard, and Newsom firing back with a lawsuit.
It all kicked off on Friday night when riots erupted in downtown Los Angeles, triggered by a series of ICE raids across the city. The unrest, a powder keg of frustration over federal immigration enforcement, quickly turned the streets into a battleground. And who’s catching the heat? Governor Newsom, of course.
Enter House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La, who didn’t mince words when criticizing Newsom’s handling of the chaos. “He ought to be tarred and feathered,” Johnson declared, invoking a colonial-era phrase that today signals a harsh public rebuke. Now, let’s be clear—Johnson isn’t calling for a literal tar-and-feather party, but the message stings just the same.
Johnson doubled down, saying, “He’s applauding the bad guys and standing in the way of the good guys.” Translation: Newsom’s priorities seem more aligned with political posturing than protecting federal agents who, according to Johnson, are being disrespected and even assaulted. Turns out, actions—or inactions—have consequences.
Not stopping there, Johnson added a jab: “Do your job, man, that’s what I tell Gavin Newsom.” It’s a polite but pointed reminder that governing isn’t about rebranding for the next big campaign—it’s about results. Something California’s chief executive might want to ponder while the city burns.
By late Saturday, President Trump had seen enough, stepping in to federalize the California National Guard and ordering troops to quell the unrest. It’s a bold move, signaling that Washington isn’t waiting for Sacramento to get its act together. Federal law enforcement, after all, isn’t a suggestion—it’s a mandate.
Newsom, predictably, wasn’t thrilled, expressing outrage over Trump’s decision to take control of the state’s Guard. He called it “an unmistakable step toward authoritarianism,” a charge that seems more like grandstanding than a legal argument. If you’re obstructing federal efforts, as White House border czar Tom Homan warned is a felony, what did you expect?
Trump, never one to shy away from the spotlight, mused on Monday about arresting Newsom, though Homan clarified there’s no actual plan to do so. “I would do it if I were Tom,” Trump quipped, taking a swipe at Newsom’s track record as governor. It’s less a threat and more a jab at leadership—or the lack thereof.
Newsom, for his part, didn’t back down, daring federal authorities with a defiant, “Just get it over with, arrest me.” It’s a theatrical response, but one wonders if such bravado helps Angelenos dealing with the fallout of riots. Leadership isn’t a Hollywood script, Governor.
On Monday, Newsom teamed up with California Attorney General Rob Bonta to file a lawsuit aiming to block Trump’s federalization of the National Guard. It’s a classic state-versus-federal showdown, but one has to ask: this the hill to die on while chaos reigns in LA? Resources might be better spent restoring order than filing paperwork.
Johnson, meanwhile, sidestepped questions about whether Newsom should face arrest, a notion Trump floated but didn’t commit to. Staying above the legal fray, Johnson’s focus remains on accountability, not handcuffs. A wise move—let the courts sort out the drama while leaders focus on solutions.
Newsom, however, seemed to take Johnson’s “tarred and feathered” remark quite literally, retorting, “Good to know we’re skipping the arrest and going straight for the 1700s style forms of punishment.” It’s a clever quip, but misses the modern context of the phrase as a metaphor for public shame. Let’s not pretend this is about pitchforks and tar barrels, Governor—hyperbole doesn’t solve problems.
This entire saga underscores a deeper rift between state leaders pushing progressive agendas and a federal administration determined to enforce immigration laws. While Newsom paints himself as a defender against overreach, critics like Johnson see a governor more interested in optics than order. It’s a messy standoff, but one thing is clear: Los Angeles residents deserve better than a political tug-of-war.
