California Governor Gavin Newsom lashed out on social media Thursday over a federal immigration raid at a cannabis farm in Southern California, using the moment to fire back at President Trump and his administration.
Responding to footage of officers deploying tear gas on protesters and workers in Camarillo, Newsom wrote on X, “Trump calls me ‘Newscum’ but he’s the real scum.” The post was in response to a KTLA video showing people running as officers advanced during the raid.
Officials from the Trump administration quickly pushed back. The Department of Homeland Security responded from its official account, writing, “Why are there children working at a marijuana facility, Gavin?” The protest had drawn hundreds, some of whom clashed with federal agents and National Guard personnel present during the operation.
The Camarillo raid is part of a broader push by the Trump administration to escalate immigration enforcement efforts in California, a state that has become central in ongoing battles over federal deportation policy. Just days earlier, federal agents and military personnel staged a high-profile march through Los Angeles’s MacArthur Park, prompting Mayor Karen Bass to denounce the action as “outrageous.”
Newsom has recently leaned into his criticisms of Trump’s policies, particularly on immigration. He launched a podcast featuring conversations with conservative media figures and has sharply increased his presence on social media. According to a Politico analysis, his anti-Trump posts have drawn significantly more engagement than his typical content.
While visiting South Carolina this week a key early primary state Newsom delivered jabs at Trump but steered clear of focusing heavily on immigration. Nonetheless, his online presence has kept the issue front and center. He recently clashed with Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) over her criticisms of California and sparred with the right-wing account “Libs of TikTok,” which shared video that appeared to show a protester firing a gun at federal agents during the Camarillo raid.
“Of course I condemn any assault on law enforcement, you s––– poster,” Newsom replied. “Now do Jan 6.”
Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott said ten minors in the country illegally were discovered at the site and that the facility is under investigation for child labor violations. “This is Newsom’s California,” Scott posted.
The cannabis company involved stated that it complied with the federal search warrants but denied knowingly hiring minors. In a public statement, the company said it “has never knowingly violated applicable hiring practices.”
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