California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) warned of possible voter intimidation in next year’s midterms, alleging without evidence that President Donald Trump might deploy ICE agents to polling places “to chill participation.”
He made the claim in a podcast interview with journalist Kara Swisher, where he accused Trump of trying to consolidate control over U.S. elections for decades to come. Several social media users accused Newsom of essentially admitting that illegal aliens have been voting in the state’s elections.
“We have to recognize that there are no limits with this guy. If he could rig next year’s election … I mean, we joke about not having another [election], I don’t think that’s a joke. He will wire this for the next 20 to 30 years. If it’s a JD … it doesn’t even matter,” Newsom claimed. “He will wire it.”
“He’s already sending out masked people to intimidate folks,” Newsom said, likely a reference to federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents who have begun hiding their faces after some Democrats began doxing them and putting their families at risk.
“When we launched our campaign, did it down in Little Tokyo in LA — do you think ICE is not going to show up around voting and polling booths to chill participation? And you know that — the National Guard — you know that,” Newsom said.
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Several users on X said Newsom tacitly admitted people in the country illegally have been voting in the Golden State.
Though Newsom offered no evidence, his remarks echo broader Democratic concerns that Trump might take extraordinary steps to influence elections, despite existing legal and constitutional safeguards, Breitbart News reported.
There is no indication that ICE, the agency tasked with immigration enforcement, has any role in monitoring or operating at polling sites.
Newsom also claimed Trump plans to run again in 2028, despite the 22nd Amendment’s prohibition on serving more than two presidential terms. “I don’t think Donald Trump wants another election … I have two dozen Trump 2028 hats his folks keep sending me,” Newsom told Politico earlier. “… this is serious, guys. This is serious.”
He suggested that Trump’s behavior and the presence of merchandise promoting a 2028 campaign should be seen as a sign of intent.
“You think when he brings foreign leaders to the Oval Office and he goes to the White House store — have you seen this? Anyone? Is it just me? — and he shows them the 2028 hats, he’s not being serious? Wake up. You will lose your country,” Newsom ranted.
The governor’s remarks come amid ongoing debates over election security, voter access, and federal authority in state-run elections. To that point, Trump posted on his Truth Social platform on Saturday that an executive order requiring voter ID in all federal elections would be forthcoming.
“Voter I.D. Must Be Part of Every Single Vote. NO EXCEPTIONS! I Will Be Doing An Executive Order To That End!!!” Trump wrote. “Also, No Mail-In Voting, Except For Those That Are Very Ill, And The Far Away Military.”