Governor Newsom’s Address to California: Democracy at a Crossroads.

Los Angeles— Governor Gavin Newsom slammed President Trump’s unconstitutional militarization of Los Angeles in a message to over 40 million Californians and Americans across tonight, warning that the President’s actions represent a perilous inflection moment for the country.

“What we’re witnessing is not law enforcement — it’s authoritarianism,” Governor Newsom told Californians. “What Donald Trump wants the most is your loyalty. Your silence. To be complicit in this situation. Don’t give in to him.

Governor Newsom described recent federal raids in Latino communities, the illegal seizure of 4,000 California National Guard soldiers, and the deployment of over 700 active-duty Marines on the streets of an American city, all without consulting with state or local leaders. “Trump is pulling a military dragnet across Los Angeles,” Newsom told reporters. “It’s weakness masquerading as strength.”

The Governor asked Americans to take nonviolent action at this time, describing it as a “national reckoning.” “The most important office in a democracy is not President or Governor — it’s citizen.”

I’d want to speak briefly on the happenings of the past several days.

This past weekend, federal authorities raided many workplaces in and around Los Angeles.

Those raids are still going on as I write.

California is not new to immigration enforcement.

However, instead of focusing on illegal immigrants with significant criminal histories and those with final deportation orders, which both parties have historically supported, the administration is promoting wholesale deportations.

Indiscriminately targeting industrious immigrant families, regardless of their origins or danger.

What is happening right now is unlike anything we have seen before.

On Saturday morning, federal officers rushed out of an unmarked vehicle in a Home Depot parking lot and started grabbing people.

A premeditated attack on a predominantly Latino area.

A similar situation occurred when a clothes store was searched downtown.

Other measures included the arrest of a US citizen who was nine months pregnant. A four-year-old girl is seized.

Families are separated. Friends are vanishing.

In reaction, ordinary Angelenos came out to exercise their Constitutional right to free expression and assembly.

To oppose their government’s activities.

In turn, the State of California and the City and County of Los Angeles dispatched our police officers to assist maintain order, and with a few exceptions, they were successful.

California, like many other states, has seen its fair share of civic strife. We handle it routinely and with our own law enforcement.

But this time, it was different.

What followed was the use of tear gas. Flashbang grenades. Rubber Bullets.

Federal agents are detaining people and undercutting their due process rights.

Donald Trump, without consulting with California’s law enforcement authorities, conscripted 2,000 National Guard personnel to deploy on our streets.

Illegally and without cause.

The President’s misuse of authority created a volatile scenario, endangering citizens, cops, and the National Guard.

That’s when the downhill spiral started. He intensified his risky National Guard deployment by fueling the flames even more.