California Gov. Gavin Newsom warned federal agents Tuesday that they would face state prosecution if they interfered with voting, after Immigration and Customs Enforcement posted a warning to anyone who votes illegally.
Over several hours of Election Day posts on X, the Democratic governor said anyone who breaks California law or disrupts the vote would be prosecuted. He also told federal agents that a presidential pardon would not shield them from state charges.
An ICE warning, recycled
The exchange started with the ICE post. Anyone who votes illegally, it said, should expect the agency to “track you down, arrest you, and prosecute you.” It signed off with: “There will be no escape.”
Nowhere did it mention California, or any state.
Newsom’s reply borrowed the agency’s words nearly line for line. He changed only the first line, writing “If YOU show up to the polls illegally,” and left the rest intact, down to the closing promise of no escape.
Posts aimed at Trump and federal agents
In a later post, Newsom addressed what he called President Donald Trump’s “thugs.”
“If you violate California’s laws, if you interfere with the vote, you will be prosecuted,” he wrote.
He then spoke to the president directly: “Donald Trump: If you meddle in our election, California will come for you.”
Another post was directed at “every federal agent operating on Trump’s behalf in California.” Agents who illegally tamper with ballots should not expect the president to protect them, Newsom wrote.
“Trump can’t pardon you out of California justice.”
None of the posts from either side pointed to a specific case of illegal voting or of federal interference at a California polling place.
The governor’s message to Trump’s “thugs” drew the widest audience of the four, with about 690,000 views by Tuesday evening, according to X’s view count.
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