Trump's 'border czar' breaks with president over arresting Newsom

Donald Trump’s border czar Tom Homan said Monday that the Trump administration has “no intention to arrest” California Gov. Gavin Newsom, despite the president’s suggestion that he would support the move.

“There’s no intention to arrest,” the Democratic governor,” Homan said in an exclusive interview with CBS News. “That whole thing's been taken out of context," he added. "They haven't crossed a line yet … If you cross that line, I don't care who they are — the governor, the mayor, whatever — and when you commit a crime against ICE officers, we will seek prosecution."

The split came after Trump, when asked about the idea of arresting Newsom earlier Monday, told reporters, “I'd do it if I were Tom," and added, "Gavin likes the publicity, but I think it would be a great thing."

Tensions between the Trump administration and Newsom have escalated in recent days over protests in Los Angeles sparked by ICE enforcement operations.

“Trump has accused Newsom of failing to deal with violence and ordered Marines and National Guard troops to the city,” CBS News reported. “Newsom responded with a lawsuit over the troop deployments and argues Mr. Trump is inflaming the situation.”

While Homan has previously suggested elected officials could face arrest for interfering with ICE, he told CBS News he’ll “leave that up to” the Justice Department.

“There's no intention to arrest the governor right now,” the White House border czar told the station. “I don't know if he crossed that line.”