Newsom Walks Back Comments on ICE Raids
California’s Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom seemed to revise his earlier stance, where he labeled ICE raids as “state-sponsored terrorism,” during an interview with conservative commentator Ben Shapiro on Thursday.
Shapiro referenced Newsom’s remarks following a shooting linked to ICE in Minnesota. He also critiqued statements from Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who described the victims as engaged in “domestic terrorism,” expressing disappointment with both their comments.
“So, Governor, about that state-sponsored terrorism comment?” Shapiro inquired. Newsom acknowledged, “Such comments only worsen our political climate. Our ICE agents are not terrorists. The unfortunate events shouldn’t be labeled as state-sponsored terrorism.”
With a thoughtful pause, Newsom added, “I think that’s a reasonable perspective.”
Shapiro later pressed Newsom on whether California could collaborate more closely with ICE to avert such incidents.
“That’s exactly what we’re doing here. Since I took office, we’ve worked with over 10,000 individuals. We have a direct partnership with ICE, and honestly, California probably helps with more ICE relocations than any other state. I’ve even vetoed several bills that aimed to restrict California’s capacity to do so,” Newsom explained.
He also attributed immigration reform failures to the Trump administration, asserting that California’s sanctuary city policies help protect undocumented immigrants. This allows them to interact with law enforcement and access education without the looming threat of deportation.
Newsom argued, “This situation has become necessary due to the federal government’s complete shortcomings. If there were a solid federal response and comprehensive immigration reform, we wouldn’t need sanctuary policies.”
When asked about calls to “abolish ICE,” Newsom voiced his disagreement, recalling a previous situation where a presidential candidate expressed that viewpoint. “I think I mentioned on air that I believe it was a misstep,” he noted.
His office has yet to provide a response to requests for comments on this matter. Newsom, for his part, has consistently made critical remarks about ICE when discussing the Trump administration’s policies, previously labeling ICE raids as indicative of “authoritarian” governance.
In essence, Newsom’s remarks resonate with his ongoing critique of federal immigration policies, calling attention to the tensions surrounding these issues. It’s complicated, really. On one hand, he’s proposing solutions, yet on the other, there’s this fiery rhetoric that keeps surfacing.
