California Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom has characterized President Donald Trump's military intervention at immigration policy protests in Los Angeles as an "assault on democracy," leading to a lawsuit aimed at halting the action. In contrast, Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott has put the National Guard on standby in areas of Texas where similar demonstrations are anticipated. This stark difference in responses reflects how each party is maneuvering within the national political landscape and addressing the role of executive power concerning immigration enforcement.
In a live television address, Newsom accused Trump of exacerbating the situation for political gain. Following this, all 22 other Democratic governors supported Newsom through a statement from the Democratic Governors Association. This statement condemned the deployment of the National Guard and threats to send Marines as "an alarming abuse of power" that undermines both the mission of service members and public trust, suggesting that the Trump administration does not trust local law enforcement.
The protests in Los Angeles have been largely confined to a small area of downtown, with nearly 200 individuals arrested and at least seven police officers injured during the demonstrations. Meanwhile, in Republican-controlled states, governors have not outlined specific plans for deploying military troops amidst protests, reflecting a cautious approach to a politically charged environment.
Since Trump's return to office, Democratic governors have been strategic in their criticisms. According to Kristoffer Shields, director of the Eagleton Center on the American Governor at Rutgers University, these political considerations influence how governors perceive their constituency's reactions to criticisms of Trump. There are concerns about potential retribution from the administration toward governors who take strong stances. Polling indicates that around half of U.S. adults approved of Trump's handling of immigration before the recent military deployment.
Democratic governors have adopted various stances towards Trump in the past. For instance, during a White House meeting in February, Maine’s Governor Janet Mills openly challenged Trump over funding cuts related to transgender athletes. Michigan's Governor Gretchen Whitmer, who has ambitions for the 2028 presidential race, has shifted her approach from public sparring during Trump's first term to seeking private discussions for common ground. Hawaii's Governor Josh Green also transitioned from calling Trump a "straight-up dictator" to taking a more cautious tone to avoid direct criticism.
Although some Democratic governors have supported Newsom, many have refrained from discussing the events in California publicly. For example, New York Governor Kathy Hochul's office pointed to their support through a joint statement rather than individual commentary. Governor JB Pritzker of Illinois reiterated that local authorities should perform their duties without federal interference, while Pennsylvania's Governor Josh Shapiro condemned Trump's action, asserting it contributed to chaos in society.
On the Republican side, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who frequently clashes with Newsom, has offered to send Florida State Guard troops to California, which Newsom declined as an attempt to inflame an already chaotic situation. DeSantis characterized the offer as part of mutual aid during a crisis but dismissed the reasons for its rejection.
With further protests planned for the upcoming weekend, governors are strategizing their responses. Connecticut’s Governor Ned Lamont has coordinated with local police to prevent any federal militarization of protests in his state, expressing his desire to prevent Trump from escalating tensions. In Texas, the specifics regarding the deployment of National Guard troops remain unclear, as cities like Austin and San Antonio have indicated no requests for assistance have been made.
As Florida's DeSantis prepares law enforcement for potential unrest, he makes it clear that actions like rioting or vandalism would be met with decisive repercussions, stating a commitment to law and order. With protests occurring across the nation, governors are navigating a complex political landscape defined by their responses to Trump's controversial immigration enforcement policies.
