LA Protests Pit Gavin Newsom as Antagonist Against Donald Trump (1)

California Governor Gavin Newsom took to the airwaves Tuesday night — with federal troops stationed in his state’s largest city and immigration agents rounding up residents — and warned Americans that democracy itself was under attack from President Donald Trump.

And in eight minutes, Newsom seized a new role: leader of the opposition.

His face framed by US and California flags, Newsom denounced Trump’s decision to send the military to Los Angeles following protests against immigration sweeps. He cast his appeal not to Californians but to the nation as a whole, saying other states would surely be next.

Governor Gavin Newsom speaks during a televised address on June 10.

Source: Office of California Governor/Office of California Governor

“Democracy is under assault before ...