Border czar Tom Homan accused NBC News on Monday of writing a “dishonest” report that he threatened to arrest Democrat California Gov. Gavin Newsom over his refusal to comply with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
During an interview with NBC News on Sunday, Homan doubled down on conducting ICE raids in the Los Angeles area as wide-scale riots broke out and warned that any government official can face federal charges if they obstruct immigration enforcement. The border czar scoffed at “Morning Joe” host Jonathan Lemire’s questioning on the potential arrest of Newsom, stating that the interview took his words “out of context.”
“I’m not biting on that. The NBC reporter interviewed me very dishonest[ly]. We did a 20 minute interview and it cuts out a little clip that takes my words out of context,” Homan said. “Here’s what we said, and I talked about these people that are in these protests and rioting, when they cross the line. They have a right to protest, they have First Amendment rights. But they can’t cross that line … They can’t cross that line of putting their hands on officers, they can’t cross that line of knowingly concealing an illegal alien. It’s all in [federal] statute and they will be prosecuted.” (RELATED: ‘Ignoring The Law Altogether’: Tom Homan Swats Down Worries About ‘Due Process’ For Deported Gang Members)
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The unrest in Los Angeles followed ICE’s arrest of over 100 illegal immigrants, including drug traffickers and gang members, during the raids conducted throughout the area. Some anti-Trump protesters burned cars, threw Molotov cocktails, rocks and fireworks, and defaced property with slogans like “KILL ICE.”
President Donald Trump deployed 2,000 National Guard soldiers to Los Angeles on Saturday, which received public criticism from both Newsom and Democratic Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.
Homan told NBC News’ Jacob Soboroff during the Sunday interview that while Newsom and Bass have not currently “crossed the line,” any government official can potentially face prosecution if they obstruct federal immigration officials actions.
“When [Soboroff] asked questions about Mayor Bass and Governor Newsom, and I was clear, they haven’t crossed the line, but no one is above the law either. If they commit a crime, we certainly will ask for prosecution,” Homan continued. “That’s what was happening. I never threatened to arrest Governor Newsom, so I’m not biting off of that. That report is dishonest and let him play the whole 20 minute interview and you’ll see a whole different discussion that we had.”
Lemire stated that NBC News “stands by its reporting” that Homan had threatened arrest “for immigration interference.” After Soboroff asked Newsom to respond to Homan, the California governor dared the border czar to “come after [him]” and “arrest” him.
“Come after me, arrest me. Let’s just get it over with, tough guy,” Newsom said. “You know, I don’t give a damn. But I care about my community, I care about this community. The hell are they doing? These guys need to grow up, they need to stop and we need to push back and I’m sorry to be so clear, but that kind of bloviating is disgusting. So Tom, arrest me. Let’s go.”
NBC News did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.
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