When Donald Trump’s plane touched down in Los Angeles in January, days after his second inauguration, the scars of California’s wildfires lay raw across the city. Waiting on the tarmac was Governor Gavin Newsom, a longtime foe, extending an unexpected olive branch. The cordial moment hinted at a fragile truce, as a fire-ravaged state sought federal aid under a president known for vengeance. But that detente has since shattered, replaced by a fierce standoff that’s gripped the nation.
Last week, Trump deployed thousands of National Guard troops and 700 Marines to Los Angeles, overriding Newsom’s objections, to quell protests sparked by sweeping immigration raids. Newsom called it “madness,” accusing Trump of steering America toward authoritarianism. Trump fired back, branding Newsom “Newscum” and suggesting his arrest, while claiming the city would “burn” without his intervention—a charge Newsom and local officials reject.
