Gavin Newsom urges resistance against Trump's military deployment in Los Angeles

In the United States, California Governor Gavin Newsom delivered a deeply emotional televised speech on June 10, 2025, amid ongoing protests in Los Angeles against federal immigration raids. This speech came five days into a series of largely peaceful protests that were marred by sporadic violence. The situation escalated when President Donald Trump took control of the California National Guard and deployed 2,000 troops to Los Angeles, ostensibly to protect federal agents and property from protestors. Newsom strongly criticized this action, declaring it a direct threat to American democracy and calling for a unified response from the Democratic Party and the broader public. During his address, which he titled 'Democracy at a Crossroads,' Newsom outlined the potential ramifications of Trump's military actions beyond just the local protests, insinuating that these actions posed a larger threat to democratic values across the country. He articulated a vision of resistance, asserting that the current moment was a 'perilous' one for democracy in America. This speech marked a pivotal moment in Newsom's political ambitions, prompting speculation about his future as a Democratic presidential candidate for the 2028 election. In the aftermath of the speech, immediate response from the White House was dismissive, as officials ridiculed Newsom's claims and highlighted what they viewed as a failure to address serious crime in California. This public clash between the Governor and Trump underlined the political division within the country and raised questions about Newsom's political viability. While some Democratic leaders and activists praised him for standing up to Trump and envisioning a path forward for the party, others voiced skepticism about his handling of the protests and ongoing governance issues in California. As one of the more prominent figures in the Democratic Party, Newsom's attempts to portray himself as a leader in these challenging times were juxtaposed against a backdrop of mixed public opinion. Polling suggested a relatively low recognition of Newsom as the current face of the party, with only 2% of voters identifying him as such. Nonetheless, his confrontational approach against Trump and the assertion of a united Democratic front could potentially reshape his trajectory in the run-up to the next presidential election.