Gavin Newsom appeared on Ben Shapiro’s podcast and walked back his press office’s inflammatory statement calling ICE operations “state-sponsored terrorism” following a tragic incident in Minnesota.
- Newsom’s press office tweeted on January 8, 2026, labeling ICE actions as “STATE. SPONSORED. TERRORISM.” after an ICE-involved shooting.
- During the January 16 interview, when confronted by Shapiro, Newsom admitted the rhetoric went too far, responding “Yeah” and agreeing it’s “fair” to say ICE officers are not terrorists.
- Newsom emphasized that a tragic situation does not equate to state-sponsored terrorism and highlighted California’s extensive cooperation with ICE.
- He noted that California has facilitated over 10,000 ICE transfers during his governorship, more than any other state.
- Newsom explicitly disagreed with calls to “abolish ICE,” referencing his past criticism of similar suggestions from other Democrats.
- The walk-back drew sharp criticism from the left, with figures like Mehdi Hasan calling it self-destructive and others accusing Newsom of lacking principles.
- Some on the right viewed it as a rare moment of moderation from Newsom, potentially tied to his positioning for a 2028 presidential run.
- The article portrays Newsom’s new aggressive social media team as responsible for the original extreme rhetoric, which has backfired in this case.
- Overall, the piece highlights Newsom’s apparent shift toward a more moderate stance on immigration enforcement amid backlash.
Read the full story: https://hotair.com/john-s-2/2026/01/16/newsom-i-might-have-gone-too-far-calling-ice-agents-state-sponsored-terrorists-n3810936
