California Governor Defends Confrontational Stance Against Federal Immigration Policies, Addresses National Guard Role
SACRAMENTO, CA – California Governor [Insert Governor's Name, e.g., Gavin Newsom] has vehemently defended his use of strong language against the White House and President Donald Trump's administration, asserting it is a necessary response to perceived "cruelty" in federal policies. The Governor also addressed ongoing concerns regarding state oversight of federal immigration processing centers and the contentious deployment of the National Guard within California.
Defense of Rhetoric and "Moral Authority"
The Governor justified his confrontational tone, stating he has "no apologies for standing tall and firm and pushing back against their cruelty." He emphasized a distinction between the "formal authority" exercised by government and what he termed "moral authority," which he believes the State of California actively employs. This response came after criticism that his administration's use of state and personal social media accounts to attack political opponents mirrored the very tactics he decries.
Oversight of Immigration Processing Centers
Regarding the newly named California City Immigration Processing Center (a former prison), Governor [Name] affirmed that California has updated its oversight rules and regulations, particularly concerning health and safety. He noted that the Attorney General's office is resourced to provide such oversight, acknowledging, however, "certain limits as it relates to our direct involvement and direct engagement" due to federal jurisdiction. He added that the state has been coordinating and sharing information with immigrant rights leaders on this topic.
Local Law Enforcement and ICE Operations
Addressing community concerns about police involvement in ICE operations, the Governor clarified that local law enforcement's role is not to "aid and abet" ICE but primarily to escort, emphasizing a distinction between local and state policies. He stressed the importance of local law enforcement building trust with communities to ensure public safety, stating that officers are "not to aid in a bet" federal immigration enforcement actions.
National Guard Deployment and Reassignment Priorities
The contentious federal deployment of approximately 5,000 National Guard personnel was a key point of discussion. The Governor criticized the federal utilization rate, calling the deployment "a solution right now in search of a problem" and describing it as a "preview of things to come" for other states. He highlighted instances where California Highway Patrol (CHP) and Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officers were reportedly protecting National Guard members, rather than the reverse, indicating the absurdity of the situation.
Governor [Name] expressed a strong desire to regain state control over the National Guard, prioritizing their reassignment to critical state functions. These include:
Wildfire Control: Returning personnel to manage and prevent wildfires, ensuring community safety.
Counter-Narcotics Efforts: Re-engaging troops in drug interdiction efforts, including combating fentanyl trafficking and cross-border gun/cash smuggling.
Community Building: Reassigning members to roles that foster trust and community engagement, such as walking beats and engaging with youth.
He emphasized his long-standing commitment to deploying the National Guard for state needs, citing past large-scale deployments for purposes like border security and civil unrest responses. Approximately 190 National Guard members have already been redeployed under state control, with the remainder expected to return as they are demobilized by federal authorities.
