Former Trump administration border czar Tom Homan has accused California Governor Gavin Newsom and state Democrats of prioritizing politics over public safety, asserting that the state's sanctuary policies have led to deaths.
Homan's remarks followed the on-camera slaying of retiree Todd Stewart in Martinez, California. According to reports, Stewart was killed just one day after the alleged perpetrator, who had previously been released from local custody, appeared before a judge appointed by Newsom.
"It’s just one case after another after another," Homan stated, criticizing the state's sanctuary policies. "This person’s dead because Governor Newsom and the state of California puts politics –– hatred of President Trump –– over public safety."
Newsom's office, in response to Homan's accusations, blamed the Trump administration for public safety issues. However, the article questions how federal actions would be responsible for a local decision to release an individual who subsequently allegedly committed a fatal stabbing.
Stewart's alleged killer, Marcos Iriarte-Valdez, was captured on surveillance video during the incident. The Martinez Police Department responded to multiple 9-1-1 calls reporting the stabbing.
Homan argued that the federal government simply seeks cooperation from the state regarding the impending release of individuals in local custody who are undocumented criminals, a practice he described as historically commonplace among law enforcement partners. This cooperation, he contended, would allow federal authorities to apprehend and deport such individuals, thereby preventing further crimes.
Critics point to a series of actions and policies attributed to Newsom and the California left, which they argue have contributed to a rise in crime and a decline in public safety. These include policies that allegedly shield convicted undocumented immigrants from deportation, appointments to the state parole board that have reportedly led to the early release of offenders, and support for ballot measures that have reduced penalties for theft and drug offenses. The article also notes Newsom's past actions such as restricting gang enhancements, suspending the state's death penalty, and advocating for prison closures.
Governor Newsom has maintained that "California takes public safety seriously." However, his critics assert that his administration's policies, particularly those related to immigration and criminal justice, have had severe consequences, including loss of life.