Gavin Newsom Accused of Misrepresenting Timeline of LA Unrest

California Governor Gavin Newsom is under fire for allegedly misstating key facts surrounding the recent wave of civil unrest in Los Angeles. Critics say the Democratic governor inaccurately claimed that the riots began on Saturday, June 7, 2025, following the federal deployment of National Guard troops by President Donald Trump. However, multiple reports suggest that violence erupted a day earlier, triggered by aggressive ICE operations across Southern California.

As tensions flared, President Trump ordered thousands of National Guard personnel into the region, followed by the deployment of U.S. Marines in an effort to bring stability. The timeline discrepancy has fueled criticism, with opponents accusing Newsom of downplaying the initial cause and deflecting responsibility.

In an official statement, Newsom described federal agents arriving “Saturday morning near a Home Depot parking lot,” where they allegedly began detaining individuals from unmarked vehicles. He characterized the public response as “peaceful demonstrations by ordinary citizens defending their constitutional rights.”

Newsom maintained that local law enforcement, along with city and state officials, managed the protests effectively, with only a few exceptions. He then shifted focus to Trump’s involvement, condemning the president for unilaterally mobilizing California National Guard members without coordination.

“Trump escalated an already tense situation by inserting federal troops into our communities,” Newsom declared. “This abrupt and unauthorized military presence only made matters worse.”

The governor went further, accusing the president of acting deliberately to provoke chaos. “As word spread, fear took hold. Demonstrations reignited. And by nightfall, a fringe minority turned violent — damaging property and clashing with police,” he said.

In a bold move, Newsom and California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced a lawsuit against the Trump administration, challenging what they called the unconstitutional federal seizure of a California National Guard unit. In a post shared on X, Newsom argued that the deployment bypassed the state’s authority and violated federal law.

The lawsuit names President Trump, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and the Department of Defense as defendants, asserting that the takeover of the CalGuard contingent was illegal and unjustified.

“This isn’t just a political stunt,” Newsom wrote. “This is a calculated effort by Trump to instill fear and manipulate power — a blatant overreach that endangers our republic. It is an authoritarian maneuver that all governors, regardless of party, should strongly reject.”

As tensions remain high in Los Angeles, the clash between state and federal leadership continues to unfold, with both sides accusing the other of exacerbating the crisis.