The NPR Politics Podcast: Trump vs. Newsom - Breaking Down the Politics of the L.A. Protests

Release Date: June 10, 2025
Host: Sarah McCammon
Guest: Guy Marzirati, Politics Correspondent at KQED, San Francisco

1. Escalation of Protests in Los Angeles

The episode opens with a discussion on the intensifying protests in Los Angeles against immigration raids orchestrated by the Trump administration. These protests have now extended into their fifth day, drawing significant attention from both political leaders and the public.

Key Points:

• Deployment of National Guard: President Donald Trump has ordered an additional 2,000 National Guard troops and 700 U.S. Marines to Los Angeles in response to the ongoing protests. This move marks a significant escalation in the federal response to civil unrest.

• Law Enforcement Measures: Reports indicate that law enforcement has employed tear gas and rubber bullets to manage the crowds. However, the intensity of these measures varies, with Monday's demonstrations being quieter compared to Sunday’s larger gatherings.

  Domenico Montanaro (04:10): "Shame on you."
  This chant echoed by multiple speakers signifies the deep emotions surrounding the protests and the federal response.

2. Legal Challenge by Governor Gavin Newsom

Governor Gavin Newsom has taken a stand against the federalization of the National Guard, resulting in a lawsuit against the Trump administration.

Key Points:

• Basis of the Lawsuit: The lawsuit hinges on two main arguments:
  1. Lack of Notification and Consent: Trump did not inform or seek consent from Newsom before mobilizing the National Guard in California. The relevant law requires that such orders be processed through the governor.
  2. Justification for Deployment: The president must demonstrate an invasion, rebellion, or a situation where law enforcement cannot be maintained by regular forces. There is debate over whether the current protests in LA meet these stringent criteria.

  Guy Marzirati (02:10): "The language is gonna have to be hashed out and to what extent Newsom needed to be consulted..."

3. Public Opinion on Immigration Policies

Public sentiment plays a crucial role in shaping the strategies of both Trump and Newsom regarding immigration enforcement.

Key Points:

• Support for Trump's Policies: A CBS News poll revealed that 54% of Americans approve of Trump's deportation policies, indicating a slim majority in favor of stricter immigration measures.

  Domenico Montanaro (04:21): "...54% of people approve of Trump's deportation policies, which is in line with a lot of what we've seen in some other polls."

• Shifts in Public Opinion: Since 2020, there has been a noticeable shift towards favoring reduced immigration, aligning closely with sentiments observed post-9/11 during heightened border security concerns.

  Montanaro (04:21): "Now we have 55% of people, according to Gallup, saying that they think immigration needs to be decreased in the country."

4. Governor Newsom's Political Maneuvering and 2028 Ambitions

Governor Newsom's approach to handling the immigration crisis and his interactions with Trump have significant implications for his political future, particularly his presidential aspirations in 2028.

Key Points:

• Balancing Act: Newsom has oscillated between a confrontational stance against Trump and more conciliatory approaches, such as launching a podcast featuring right-wing voices, which drew criticism from the progressive wing of his party.

  Guy Marzirati (06:04): "He launched this podcast where he was bringing on more right wing voices that got a lot of criticism from folks on the left."

• Public Perception: Surveys indicate that many California voters perceive Newsom as prioritizing his presidential ambitions over effective governance, with a notable split in opinion even among Democrats.

  Marzirati (07:26): "There was a poll recently that found not only do a majority of voters say Newsom's focusing more on doing things that will benefit him as a candidate than actually focus on governing."

• Policy Shifts: In response to budget deficits, Newsom is proposing cuts to Medicaid for undocumented residents, which paradoxically positions him as both a strict immigration enforcer and a defender of undocumented communities within the state.

5. The Strategic Conflict Between Trump and Newsom

The ongoing clash between Trump and Newsom is not just about immediate policy disagreements but also serves broader political strategies for both leaders.

Key Points:

• Mutually Assured Distraction: Both Trump and Newsom benefit from the confrontation by diverting public attention from other pressing issues, such as California's budget deficits.

  Marzirati (07:26): "...this relationship with Trump as like, mutually assured distraction, confrontation."

• Potential for Escalation: There's concern that Trump's aggressive stance could lead to further escalations, potentially justifying more extensive federal intervention in local matters.

  Marzirati (10:55): "Trump is making is to escalate in a way that could then potentially preclude more escalation or justify it..."

• Political Risks: While Trump risks alienating moderate supporters with heavy-handed tactics, Democrats, led by Newsom, risk appearing out of touch or overly radical if they fail to effectively counterbalance Trump's measures.

  Montanaro (11:47): "...if it's viewed as too heavy handed, then that could be a problem politically."

6. Looking Ahead to 2028

As the political landscape evolves, Newsom's actions are being closely scrutinized in the context of his potential presidential run in 2028.

Key Points:

• Presidential Ambitions: California voters increasingly view Newsom as having presidential ambitions, which influences their perception of his governance.

  Marzirati (12:22): "There was a poll recently that found not only do a majority of voters say Newsom's focusing more on doing things that will benefit him as a candidate than actually focus on governing."

• Cultural Warfare: Newsom’s approach aligns with his identity as a "prolific culture warrior," engaging in high-profile battles over social issues to bolster his national profile.

  Marzirati (12:41): "He is one of the most prolific culture warriors in national politics..."

• Navigating Political Terrain: Balancing his policy positions to appease both progressive and moderate factions within the Democratic Party remains a critical challenge for Newsom as he positions himself for future leadership roles.

Conclusion

The clash between President Trump and Governor Gavin Newsom over immigration enforcement and the handling of protests in Los Angeles highlights the intricate dance of federal and state politics. Trump's aggressive deployment of federal troops underscores his commitment to stringent immigration policies, which resonate with a slim majority of Americans but carry the risk of political overreach. Meanwhile, Newsom's responses reflect his delicate balancing act between confronting federal overreach and maintaining support within his party, all while eyeing a potential presidential run.

As these dynamics unfold, the political strategies adopted by both leaders will have significant implications for national discourse on immigration, state-federal relations, and the evolving landscape of American politics leading up to the 2028 elections.

This summary captures the key discussions, insights, and conclusions from the NPR Politics Podcast episode titled "Trump vs. Newsom: Breaking Down the Politics of the L.A. Protests." Notable quotes have been included with appropriate speaker attribution and timestamps to provide depth and context.