Vice President JD Vance recently ripped ultra-liberal California Governor Gavin Newsom’s narrative on the riots in Los Angeles, asserting that Newsom’s attempts to blame President Trump’s actions were misleading.
Vance presented photographic evidence of chaos in the streets before federal forces arrived, challenging Newsom to “look in the mirror” instead of pointing fingers at the administration that ultimately restored order.
The confrontation erupted after President Trump authorized National Guard troops and U.S. Marines to quell violent anti-ICE protests that had overtaken parts of Los Angeles.
When Newsom suggested the unrest was a consequence of federal involvement in state and local law enforcement efforts, Vance responded forcefully on social media.
“Gavin Newsom says he didn’t have a problem until Trump got involved,” Vance wrote, sharing images of rioters attacking vehicles before the federal response.
President Trump himself weighed in on the escalating situation, suggesting Newsom should face arrest for his “terrible job” handling the protests.
The president later claimed victory over both Newsom and the protesters, declaring his decisive action prevented Los Angeles from “burning to the ground.”
The clash represents another chapter in the ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and California’s leadership over immigration enforcement and public safety priorities.
Vance directly accused Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass of encouraging the riots through their permissive policies.
In his remarks, the Vice President highlighted California’s long-standing sanctuary state policies that shield illegal aliens from law enforcement and provide generous welfare benefits to those who enter the country unlawfully.
According to Vance, these policies have incentivized mass migration into California, creating the powder keg that eventually exploded into street violence.
The Vice President specifically called out Newsom’s 2024 decision to extend Medicaid benefits to illegal aliens, arguing the governor prioritized non-citizens over “impoverished and disabled Californians” who truly need assistance.
Vance suggested that this policy choice demonstrates how California’s leadership has abandoned its responsibilities to lawful residents while catering to those who enter the country illegally.
Surprisingly, criticism of the Los Angeles chaos has not come exclusively from Republicans.
Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) also condemned the riots, calling on fellow Democrats to take action against what he described as “anarchy and true chaos.”
Fetterman’s comments underscore growing concern even among some Democrats about the consequences of policies that prioritize illegal aliens over public safety and the rule of law.
Newsom, who was term-limited as governor in 2026 and widely believed to harbor presidential ambitions, expressed shock at President Trump’s suggestion that he should be arrested.
The governor called it “a day I hoped never to see in America,” seemingly positioning himself as a defender of democratic norms while his state experienced violent unrest.
Meanwhile, critics noted this posturing comes as Newsom faces mounting evidence that his policies contributed to the breakdown in law and order he now laments.
The confrontation between Vance and Newsom represents more than just partisan sniping – it highlights fundamentally different visions for America’s future.
While the Trump administration prioritizes law enforcement, border security, and the protection of American citizens, California’s leadership has pursued policies that many conservatives view as actively undermining those goals.
