California Gov. Gavin Newsom had harsh words for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, as he has deployed hundreds of Marines and National Guard members to Newsom’s state amid protests in Los Angeles.
Newsom called Hegseth, “a joke” in an interview with Brian Tyler Cohen on YouTube.
“Everybody knows it,” Newsom said. “[He’s] so in over his head, what an embarrassment. That’s this guy’s weakness — masquerading his strength. I don’t even know. He masquerades his strength.”
The California governor, who filed a restraining order seeking to block the military from being deployed in the state, also blasted members of Congress for not keeping the Trump administration in check.
“There’s one, maybe two branches of the government left. And it sure as hell ain’t the Legislature,” he said.
Newsom said House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., is “missing in action” and noted his Louisiana district is one of the most dangerous districts in America for crime.
As Republicans continued to mock the outbursts across California, Newsom drew comparisons between Los Angeles and home districts of GOP leaders.
“Where’s [President] Donald Trump talking about the carnage in Speaker Johnson’s district?” Newsom quipped.
Johnson said Newsom should be “tarred and feathered” for his handling of the protests, when asked what legal punishment he should face.
“What a joke,” Johnson said about Newsom’s lawsuit. “Do your job, man, that’s what I tell Gavin Newsom. Do your job.
“Stop working on your rebranding and be a governor. He’s standing in the way of the administration and the carrying out of federal law. He is applauding the bad guys and standing in the way of the good guys. He’s a participant and an accomplice in our federal agents not just being disrespected but assaulted.”
Newsom was quick to fire back.
“Good to know we’re skipping the arrest and going straight for the 1700’s style forms of punishment,” Newsom said on social media. “A fitting threat given the @GOP want to bring our country back to the 18th Century.”
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