California Governor Gavin Newsom has revised his stance on federal immigration agents following backlash over his office’s description of a recent incident involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as “state-sponsored terrorism.” This shift comes after prominent conservative commentator Ben Shapiro publicly challenged Newsom during an episode of his podcast, leading many to speculate on the governor’s political motivations, particularly as he is viewed as a potential candidate for the 2028 presidential election.
In early March 2024, Newsom’s press office characterized the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old woman in Minneapolis, as an act of state-sponsored terrorism related to ICE’s operations. Shapiro confronted the governor about this remark, stating, “Your press office tweeted out that it was ‘state-sponsored terrorism,’ which makes our politics worse.” He emphasized that labeling ICE officers as terrorists was unwarranted and damaging.
The incident has sparked renewed debate over federal immigration policies and enforcement. Newsom, who has not officially declared his candidacy for the presidency, acknowledged the problematic nature of the press release, saying, “Yeah, I think that’s fair,” thus distancing himself from the wording used by his office.
While Newsom has been considered a potential contender for the Democratic nomination in 2028, he faces the challenge of reconciling the views of both far-left activists and moderate voters within his party. Shapiro noted, “One of the circles that the governor has to square is that the Democratic base is very, very radical,” suggesting that Newsom needs to moderate his positions if he intends to run successfully.
During the podcast, Newsom also rejected calls from some Democrats, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, to abolish ICE entirely, expressing his disagreement with the notion. Shapiro remarked that moderating his stance is essential for Newsom to appeal to a broader electorate, referencing previous Democratic challenges with calls to defund the police.
The shooting incident has intensified scrutiny of ICE’s enforcement actions, with activists citing Good’s death as a rallying point for ongoing protests against federal immigration policies in Minneapolis. Demonstrators have been vocal in their opposition to ICE, further complicating the political landscape for leaders like Newsom who navigate these contentious issues.
As the conversation around immigration enforcement continues to evolve, Newsom’s recent comments illustrate the delicate balance politicians must strike when addressing the concerns of their constituents while also considering national political aspirations.
