California Governor Gavin Newsom publicly conceded to Ben Shapiro that ICE officers are not terrorists, exposing cracks in sanctuary state defiance amid President Trump’s 2026 deportation surge.
Story Highlights
- Newsom walked back his “terrorism” label on ICE after Shapiro’s direct challenge, agreeing “That’s fair.”
- Confrontation highlights federal-state clash over immigration enforcement in California.
- Sanctuary policies persist despite riots sparked by ICE raids in Los Angeles and other cities.
- Trump’s National Guard deployment intensifies pressure on Newsom’s non-cooperation stance.
- Conservative media victory boosts momentum against illegal immigration facilitation.
Newsom Yields in Direct Confrontation
Ben Shapiro confronted California Governor Gavin Newsom, stating, “Our ICE officers obviously are not terrorists.” Newsom responded, “Yeah, I think that’s fair,” softening his earlier rhetoric that framed ICE actions as creating “fear and terror.” This real-time exchange occurred amid 2025 immigration debates under President Trump. Newsom’s concession marks a rare public adjustment from a Democrat leader known for sanctuary policies. It underscores tensions between federal enforcement and state resistance. Conservatives view this as validation of ICE’s role in upholding law and order.
Sanctuary Policies Fuel Federal-State Standoff
California’s sanctuary state laws, reinforced by Newsom, prohibit local authorities from cooperating with ICE on deportations. State officials refuse to hand over arrestees, drawing accusations of enabling illegal immigration. President Trump activated the National Guard for enforcement in immigrant-heavy areas like Los Angeles, prompting Newsom to sue the federal government. Newsom labeled these moves “manufactured crises,” yet partially condemned related riots involving car burnings and assaults. This non-cooperation persists despite Trump’s 2026 crackdowns expanding raids nationwide.
Trump’s Enforcement Escalates Pressures
President Trump’s administration ramped up ICE operations, targeting workplaces and communities for deportations. Riots erupted in response, with Newsom positioning against federal “anarchy” while Trump trolled him with arrest suggestions. Newsom defiantly called himself the “Rosa Parks of middle-aged white people.” Federal powers under Title 10 justify these actions, as Shapiro argues, countering state obstruction. Newsom’s historical lawsuits from 2019-2020 echo current resistance, but his rhetorical walk-back signals vulnerability to public scrutiny from conservative voices.
Stakeholders include ICE conducting raids amid local non-cooperation, Trump driving law-and-order priorities, and Shapiro amplifying critiques via Daily Wire. Newsom’s motivations tie to progressive immigrant support, yet the concession weakens his stance among leftists.
Implications for Conservative Victories
Newsom’s agreement boosts Shapiro’s credibility and energizes conservatives frustrated with sanctuary policies that prioritize illegal immigrants over citizens. Short-term, it erodes Democratic moral authority on riots, exposing hypocrisy in law enforcement stances. Long-term, it may pressure Democrats to moderate anti-ICE rhetoric amid ongoing unrest. Immigrant communities face deportation fears, while California law enforcement strains under riot fallout. Political feuds like Trump-Newsom influence 2028 races, with conservative media gaining traction against government overreach.
Limited data on exact confrontation details exists, but the exchange confirms Newsom’s de-escalation. Policies remain unchanged, sustaining divides. This event affirms federal supremacy in immigration, aligning with American values of secure borders and rule of law.
Sources:
Gavin Newsom Walks Back ICE ‘Terrorism’ Post Under Pressure From Ben Shapiro: ‘That’s Fair’
Wikipedia on Libs of TikTok (contextualizes conservative media dynamics)
