‘Wake Up, America’: Newsom Blasts Trump’s ‘Strike Teams’ Plan Ahead of Critical Elections

California Governor Gavin Newsom has a blunt message for Americans ahead of Tuesday’s critical state elections: wake up.

Appearing on NBC’s Meet the Press Sunday, the California Democrat said he is confident his party will perform well in races across Virginia and New Jersey but also warned about what he sees as a growing threat to democracy.

According to Newsom, the Trump administration is preparing to deploy so-called strike teams across U.S. cities as part of an expanded crackdown on crime and immigration. He asked what more needs to be said to get people to act and realize the seriousness of the situation.

A Washington Post report citing a leaked memo claims the National Guard is building a quick reaction force of thousands of troops trained in crowd control and civil-disturbance tactics, ready for deployment by early 2026. The move follows President Donald Trump’s efforts to assert federal control over Democratic-led states, including California, where Guard troops are already assisting immigration enforcement operations.

Newsom, who has not ruled out a 2028 presidential bid, joined Oregon officials in a lawsuit seeking to block Trump’s attempt to deploy California troops to Portland. California’s attorney general has warned that the state will sue if the president sends the National Guard into San Francisco.

He accused Trump of attacking institutions that stand in his way and warned that unchecked power could threaten the country’s democratic structure. When asked whether he trusts Trump’s Department of Justice, Newsom said he has confidence in the lower courts and hopes that the judiciary will remain the last co-equal branch of government capable of maintaining balance.

As voters in several states prepare to cast ballots Tuesday, Newsom’s warning serves as a call to action for Americans who may have grown indifferent to political turmoil. He urged the public to recognize what is at stake before it is too late, saying this is not a drill.

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