The Daily Signal asked House Speaker Mike Johnson Tuesday whether he thinks California Gov. Gavin Newsom should face legal consequences for his actions as Los Angeles is consumed by anti-deportation riots.
The question originates from a video in which Newsom told White House border czar Tom Homan, “Arrest me. Let’s go.” This taunt came in response to Homan’s accusations that Newsom had committed a felony by protecting illegal immigrants.
Asked Monday if he thought Newsom should be arrested, President Donald Trump chuckled and said, “I would do it if I were Tom. I think it’s great. Gavin likes the publicity, but I think it would be a great thing.”
The Daily Signal asked Speaker Johnson, R-La., if he thought Newsom should face legal consequences.
“That’s not my lane, I’m not going to give you legal analysis on whether Gavin Newsom should be arrested, but he ought to be tarred and feathered, I’ll say that,” Johnson replied.
Ironically, Johnson then did give a legal analysis, accusing Newsom of being an “accomplice” in attacks on law enforcement.
“I mean, look, he’s standing in the way of the administration and the carrying-out of federal law,” the speaker said. “He is applauding the bad guys, and standing in the way of the good guys.”
“He is a participant, an accomplice in our federal law enforcement agents being not just disrespected, but assaulted,” Johnson added. “This is a serious problem and the governor is now filing a lawsuit against the president—what a joke. Do your job, man. ”
Johnson concluded, “I don’t know what the ultimate measure will be there, but I know that in the interim time, the president of the United States is showing real leadership and we’re not going to allow L.A. to burn… If local and state officials are unwilling or unable to do their job, the president of the United States will do his.”