California Governor Gavin Newsom is under fire as Los Angeles burns, with a growing chorus on Threads demanding accountability for his handling of the anti-ICE riots that erupted in June 2025. Critics accuse him of standing idly by as rioters torched cars, looted stores, and clashed with police, turning LA into a warzone. Supporters, however, claim he’s being scapegoated for President Trump’s inflammatory tactics, which they say escalated the unrest. Is Newsom a failed leader who let LA crumble, or a victim of a federal power grab? A viral Threads post, shared thousands of times, declares: “Newsom watched LA burn to boost his 2028 presidential run!” The hashtag #HoldNewsomAccountable is trending, and the debate is raging.
The riots, sparked by federal immigration raids on June 7, 2025, saw protesters waving Mexican flags, setting fires, and attacking federal agents. Critics, including conservative voices on X, blast Newsom for refusing to deploy the National Guard early, alleging his “sanctuary state” policies emboldened rioters. A Threads meme showing a burning car with Newsom’s face captioned, “This is his California Dream!” has gone viral, fueling outrage. They point to over 370 arrests and billions in damages, citing Newsom’s inaction as a betrayal of public safety. One X post claimed, “Newsom’s too busy chasing donors to stop the chaos!”
Newsom’s defenders argue he was blindsided by Trump’s decision to federalize the California National Guard, deploying 2,000 troops without his consent on June 8. They say the protests were largely peaceful until Trump’s “military dragnet” inflamed tensions, with Newsom filing a lawsuit calling the move unconstitutional. A Threads post, liked thousands of times, states, “Trump sent Marines to LA for a photo-op, and Newsom’s the bad guy?” Supporters highlight his call for peaceful protests and his surge of 800+ state law enforcement officers to restore order, arguing he acted decisively despite federal overreach.
The controversy has turned Threads into a battleground. Conservative users share videos of looted storefronts, accusing Newsom of “handcuffing” police with progressive policies. A former sheriff’s deputy claimed Newsom’s delay in calling the Guard cost billions, with small businesses suffering most. Meanwhile, progressives post images of National Guard troops sleeping on floors, unused, arguing Trump’s deployment was theatrical, not strategic. One viral post quipped, “Newsom’s fighting for democracy while Trump plays dictator!” The #StandWithNewsom hashtag competes fiercely with #HoldNewsomAccountable.
Public opinion is split. A CBS News/YouGov poll from early June 2025 showed 54% of Americans back Trump’s deportation policies, but only 42% approve of his handling of the riots. Newsom’s approval in California hovers at 46%, with urban voters supporting him and rural ones demanding accountability. On Threads, younger users rally behind Newsom, sharing clips of his “Democracy at a Crossroads” speech, where he called Trump’s actions authoritarian. Older, conservative users counter with images of rioters, asking, “Why didn’t Newsom stop this?”
The political fallout is seismic. Critics, including GOP figures, argue Newsom’s inaction has tanked his 2028 presidential hopes, with one X post joking, “Newsom’s campaign slogan: Let LA Burn!” His feud with Trump, marked by Trump’s threat to arrest him, has boosted Newsom’s national profile but risks alienating moderates. Google searches for “Newsom and Trump” surged 9,700% in June, making him a Democratic star but a GOP target. Economically, the riots have crippled LA businesses, with insurance claims soaring. Internationally, the chaos paints America as unstable, with a European Threads user mocking, “LA’s a warzone, and Newsom’s tweeting lawsuits!”
The optics are brutal. Images of burning cars and masked rioters dominate Threads, with conservatives framing Newsom as weak on crime. Progressives counter with videos of peaceful protests disrupted by federal troops, accusing Trump of staging a crisis. The FBI’s hunt for a rioter who injured an agent has fueled conservative calls for Newsom to crack down harder. Yet, Newsom’s team compares the riots to “Eagles fans celebrating,” a tone-deaf remark that sparked a Threads firestorm.
This saga exposes America’s raw divides—immigration, law enforcement, and leadership. Is Newsom a progressive hero resisting Trump’s authoritarianism, or a reckless governor who let LA descend into anarchy? Threads is ablaze with memes, rants, and debates, and the nation is watching. Will Newsom face consequences, or will his defiance make him a 2028 contender?
