California Gov. Gavin Newsom took to X on Tuesday to roast President Donald Trump's inability to keep a consistent policy on whether or not federal immigration agents should be deporting farmworkers.
While Trump has demanded a step-up in raids and arrests of unauthorized immigrants in large, Democratic-voting cities like New York and Los Angeles, the administration has been much more indecisive about just how hard to police the agricultural and hospitality industries, two vitally important sectors of the economy that rely heavily on undocumented labor which have been lobbying heavily for relief.
Just a few days ago, Trump officials moved to establish carveouts for workers in these industries from enhanced Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids, and Trump was reportedly even considering a public order protecting them. But late on Monday night, in a sudden reversal, the administration walked back those plans and told ICE agents to continue increased enforcement everywhere.
Newsom mocked Trump's flip-flop and highlighted that the real mastermind of Trump's immigration policy is far-right adviser Stephen Miller — a sentiment others who have worked with Trump have also made.
"Looks like Stephen Miller is the boss, after all," posted Newsom. "Trump got big footed by his own staff. Pathetic."
All this comes as Newsom and Trump are in an escalating standoff over the president's deployment of the military to Los Angeles to put down protests against mass deportation. Trump's order has been temporarily blocked by a federal court as state officials move forward with a suit alleging the deployment is unlawful.