‘Deranged Behavior’: Gavin Newsom Declares War On Pete Hegseth, Gets More Than He Bargained For

Governor Gavin Newsom declared war on Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Saturday after Hegseth announced that he’d placed active duty Marines on “high alert,” preparing them for the possibility that they could be deployed in the Los Angeles area to shut down violent protests.

Newsom first attacked President Donald Trump for invoking the Insurrection Act of 1807, which allows the president to deploy American service members domestically for law enforcement purposes under specific conditions, generally to put down insurrections or quell rebellions when local law enforcement officials lack the capacity or resources to effectively manage the situation.

“The federal government is taking over the California National Guard and deploying 2,000 soldiers in Los Angeles — not because there is a shortage of law enforcement, but because they want a spectacle,” Newsom claimed. “Don’t give them one. Never use violence. Speak out peacefully.”

The federal government is taking over the California National Guard and deploying 2,000 soldiers in Los Angeles — not because there is a shortage of law enforcement, but because they want a spectacle.

Don’t give them one.

Never use violence. Speak out peacefully.

— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) June 8, 2025

The Trump administration’s assessment of the situation was quite different. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt detailed the reasons that Trump had decided to deploy the National Guard, saying, “In recent days, violent mobs have attacked ICE Officers and Federal Law Enforcement Agents carrying out basic deportation operations in Los Angeles, California. These operations are essential to halting and reversing the invasion of illegal criminals into the United States.”

“In the wake of this violence, California’s feckless Democrat leaders have completely abdicated their responsibility to protect their citizens,” her statement continued. “That is why President Trump has signed a Presidential Memorandum deploying 2,000 National Guardsmen to address the lawlessness that has been allowed to fester. The Trump Administration has a zero tolerance policy for criminal behavior and violence, especially when that violence is aimed at law enforcement officers trying to do their jobs. These criminals will be arrested and swiftly brought to justice. The Commander-in-Chief will ensure the laws of the United States are executed fully and completely.”

In recent days, violent mobs have attacked ICE Officers and Federal Law Enforcement Agents carrying out basic deportation operations in Los Angeles, California.

These operations are essential to halting and reversing the invasion of illegal criminals into the United States.

In…

— Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) June 8, 2025

Hegseth voiced his full support for the move, saying in an X post that the Defense Department was “mobilizing the National Guard IMMEDIATELY to support federal law enforcement in Los Angeles. And, if violence continues, active duty Marines at Camp Pendleton will also be mobilized — they are on high alert.”

The violent mob assaults on ICE and Federal Law Enforcement are designed to prevent the removal of Criminal Illegal Aliens from our soil; a dangerous invasion facilitated by criminal cartels (aka Foreign Terrorist Organizations) and a huge NATIONAL SECURITY RISK.

Under President…

— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) June 8, 2025

Newsom accused Hegseth of “deranged behavior” in an X post, saying, “The Secretary of Defense is now threatening to deploy active-duty Marines on American soil against its own citizens. This is deranged behavior.”

The Secretary of Defense is now threatening to deploy active-duty Marines on American soil against its own citizens.

This is deranged behavior.

— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) June 8, 2025

Hegseth quickly fired back, arguing that the military — beginning with the National Guard and the Marine Corps — was only stepping in because Newsom and local authorities in his state were not stopping the violent protests that were putting the lives of federal agents at risk.

“Deranged = allowing your city to burn & law enforcement to be attacked,” Hegseth posted. “There is plenty of room for peaceful protest, but ZERO tolerance for attacking federal agents who are doing their job. The National Guard, and Marines if need be, stand with ICE.”

Deranged = allowing your city to burn & law enforcement to be attacked.

There is plenty of room for peaceful protest, but ZERO tolerance for attacking federal agents who are doing their job.

The National Guard, and Marines if need be, stand with ICE. https://t.co/KVjvvnaL70

— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) June 8, 2025