California Gov. Gavin Newsom‘s office shared a meme portraying President Donald Trump as Star Wars villain Emperor Palpatine.
In the video, a Truth Social post by Trump talking about the riots in Los Angeles is read in Palpatine’s voice over clips from George Lucas’ space opera.
The Democratic governor and Republican president have clashed over the latter’s decision to send in National Guard troops and Marines to quell the disorder that erupted from protests against federal immigration raids in Los Angeles.
Newsweek has reached out to a representative for Newsom outside of regular working hours via email for comment.
A ONCE GREAT AMERICAN CITY HAS BEEN OCCUPIED! pic.twitter.com/R3EnZNIk55
— Governor Newsom Press Office (@GovPressOffice) June 10, 2025
Why It Matters
The not-so-subtle jab at what Newsom’s office views as an authoritarian approach highlights the ongoing partisan divide over federal authority, state sovereignty, and immigration enforcement. Los Angeles, which has long been a flashpoint for debates over immigration policy, erupted in protests and some rioting over the weekend after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted a series of high-profile raids across the city.
Trump has since backed calls from his border czar, Tom Homan, that Newsom should be arrested, while Newsom’s administration has sued the federal government over what it calls an “illegal” deployment of the guard.
ICE has stepped up raids across the country as part of the Trump administration’s pledge to carry out the largest mass deportations in the nation’s history.
This is a developing article. Updates to follow.
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