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In a curious twist of fate, Donald Trump’s efforts to stir up a crisis in California seem to be falling flat. The Golden State, it appears, is not inclined to play along with his theatrics.
After Trump’s border chief hesitated to pursue arresting Governor Gavin Newsom, Trump took it upon himself to advocate for the governor’s arrest, seemingly missing the point of California’s nonchalance.
In a recent press interaction, Trump declared:
“If I were Tom, I’d absolutely do it. It’s a fantastic idea. Gavin craves the spotlight, but let’s be honest, he’s done a wretched job. I mean, I like him personally—he’s a decent fellow—but his incompetence is glaringly obvious. Just look at that little railroad project he’s got going on.”
“It’s a project that’s ballooned in costs! Meanwhile, I’m always under budget—just ask anyone!”
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Trump also labeled protesters as “insurrectionists,” asserting, “The troublemakers are nothing but professional agitators—bad people who deserve jail time.”
This narrative, however, seems to be backfiring on Trump. He had envisioned a scenario where he could deploy the National Guard, inciting chaos in Southern California, allowing him to don the cloak of a decisive leader. Instead, he finds himself in a predicament.
Trump’s growing desperation is palpable; he seeks to make an example of Los Angeles to discourage other cities from opposing his administration’s immigration policies.
Yet, the reality is that the Trump administration is unlikely to arrest Gavin Newsom. The hesitation stems from an awareness that Newsom has been practically challenging them to do so, effectively calling Trump’s bluff.
It’s a familiar pattern for Trump—when a situation spirals out of his control, he resorts to calling for arrests. His recent outburst is a clear indication that he has cornered himself and is now searching for an escape route.
What are your thoughts on Trump’s latest outburst? We welcome your comments below.