Fox News commentator Steve Hilton launches a devastating challenge against Governor Gavin Newsom as Marines and National Guard deploy to quell violent anti-ICE riots in Los Angeles, exposing years of failed Democratic leadership in California.
Key Takeaways
- President Trump deployed 700 U.S. Marines and the National Guard to restore order in Los Angeles amid violent anti-ICE riots that local leadership failed to control
- Fox News personality Steve Hilton has officially entered the California gubernatorial race, directly challenging Newsom with firsthand reporting from riot-damaged areas
- Governor Newsom filed a lawsuit attempting to remove federal troops while blaming Trump for the riots, rather than addressing the violence
- The riots highlight the broader consequences of California’s sanctuary policies and years of Democratic governance that have led to rampant homelessness, crime, and economic decline
- The violence underscores a national shift in conservative discourse from border security to interior immigration enforcement and deportations
Marines Deploy as Los Angeles Erupts in Violence
President Trump’s decisive action to deploy 700 U.S. Marines and National Guard troops to Los Angeles marked a dramatic escalation in the federal response to anti-ICE riots that overwhelmed local authorities. The violence erupted following immigration enforcement operations in the city, quickly spiraling beyond the control of local law enforcement agencies. As rioters set fires, attacked police, and vandalized businesses, the contrast between Trump’s firm response and the city’s Democratic leadership became increasingly apparent, with Mayor Karen Bass and Governor Gavin Newsom seemingly unable or unwilling to restore order.
Rather than cooperate with federal authorities to restore peace, Governor Newsom took the extraordinary step of filing a lawsuit to remove federal troops from California soil. This action came as parts of Los Angeles continued to burn and residents faced ongoing threats to their safety. The governor’s response has drawn sharp criticism from conservatives who view it as placing political posturing above public safety during a genuine crisis that demanded immediate and effective action.
Steve Hilton Enters Gubernatorial Race Amid Crisis
As chaos engulfed parts of Los Angeles, Fox News personality Steve Hilton seized the moment to formally challenge Newsom’s leadership by entering the California gubernatorial race. Hilton didn’t simply announce his candidacy from a studio or campaign office – he reported live from the streets of Los Angeles, documenting the destruction firsthand. His direct engagement with the crisis provided immediate credibility to his campaign launch and highlighted the stark contrast between his approach and what many conservatives view as Newsom’s detached leadership style.
In a scathing critique that has quickly gained traction, Hilton accused Newsom of prioritizing his national political ambitions over the welfare of Californians. The timing of Hilton’s announcement, amid one of the most significant public safety crises in recent California history, underscores the central premise of his campaign: that years of Democratic leadership have failed to deliver basic security and prosperity to California residents despite the state’s immense wealth and resources.
Newsom’s Response Draws Criticism
While buildings burned and residents feared for their safety, Governor Newsom’s response focused primarily on blaming President Trump rather than addressing the violence directly. In a move that outraged many conservatives, Newsom attempted to frame the riots as “Trump’s mess” while doing little to support local law enforcement in restoring order. This narrative shift came even though the riots were a direct response to federal immigration enforcement actions that California’s sanctuary policies have long opposed and obstructed.
Hilton’s campaign has seized on this response as emblematic of Newsom’s leadership failures. “They just let this explode,” Hilton stated during a Fox News appearance, highlighting how Democratic officials appeared more concerned with criticizing federal authorities than protecting California citizens and businesses from riot damage. The contrast between Newsom’s lawsuit against federal intervention and Trump’s decisive deployment of troops has become a central theme in the emerging gubernatorial contest.
California’s Broader Crisis Under Democratic Leadership
The anti-ICE riots and subsequent federal intervention have reignited discussion about California’s numerous ongoing crises after decades of Democratic control. Despite having the highest state taxes in the nation, California continues to struggle with rampant homelessness, rising crime rates, failing infrastructure, and a mass exodus of businesses and residents to more affordable states. Critics argue that the riots are simply the most visible manifestation of governance failures that have been building for years under single-party rule.
Hilton’s campaign message draws a direct line between California’s sanctuary policies, which limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities, and the broader decline in public safety and quality of life across the state. By entering the race during this moment of crisis, Hilton is challenging voters to question why they continue to support leadership that has presided over deteriorating conditions despite the state’s enormous wealth and natural advantages.
National Implications for Immigration Enforcement
The Los Angeles riots represent a significant shift in the national conversation about immigration enforcement under President Trump’s second term. While previous discourse focused primarily on border security measures, the violent response to interior ICE operations highlights the challenges of addressing the estimated 10+ million illegal immigrants who entered during the previous administration. As Speaker Johnson and other Republican leaders have pointed out, the riots demonstrate why stronger interior enforcement is necessary despite the predictable resistance from Democratic strongholds.
California’s reaction to federal immigration enforcement serves as a microcosm of the broader national debate about sovereignty and the rule of law. With Hilton now challenging Newsom directly, the gubernatorial race will likely become a referendum not just on state leadership but on fundamental questions about immigration enforcement, public safety, and whether California’s progressive policies have delivered the prosperity and security that residents deserve after years of escalating taxes and regulations.
