Gavin Newsom Warns Trump Could Use ICE to Intimidate Voters
California Governor Gavin Newsom is raising new alarms about the future of U.S. elections, claiming that President Donald Trump may attempt to use immigration authorities as a tool of voter suppression.
Speaking during an interview with technology journalist Kara Swisher, Newsom suggested that Trump could send Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to polling locations to intimidate voters — an accusation critics have called speculative but one that underscores the ongoing tensions around election security.
Newsom’s Warning
“We have to recognize that there are no limits with this guy,” Newsom said of Trump. “If he could rig next year’s election … I don’t think that’s a joke. He will wire this for the next 20 to 30 years. It doesn’t even matter if it’s him or someone else.”
The governor claimed that Trump was already sending “masked people to intimidate folks,” though he provided no direct evidence.
This is not the first time Newsom has raised concerns about Trump’s intentions. He has also suggested the former president might attempt to seek a third term, citing internet chatter and social media taunts that he claims reflect Trump’s disregard for democratic norms.
Illegal Voting Concerns
Newsom’s remarks come as new data reignites the national debate about election integrity. A 2024 study by the policy group Just Facts found that between 10% and 27% of non-citizens living in the United States may be illegally registered to vote.
According to Census Bureau data, there were more than 19 million adult non-citizens in the U.S. as of 2022. Applying the study’s registration rates translates to two million to five million non-citizens potentially appearing on voter rolls.
“These figures are potentially high enough to overturn the will of the American people in major elections, including congressional seats and the presidency,” the report stated.
The study also noted that the actual number of illegal registrations could be higher, since estimates of the total number of illegal immigrants in the country range well above 30 million — significantly higher than the Census Bureau’s official count.
How State Laws Factor In
Policies in several states have fueled further concerns about vulnerabilities in voter registration. In California and elsewhere, laws granting driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants, combined with automatic voter registration systems, have been cited as creating risks of non-citizens being added to the rolls — whether intentionally or inadvertently.
Critics argue these policies weaken safeguards, while defenders say they increase accessibility for eligible voters and guardrails exist to prevent abuse.
Trump’s Position
While Trump has not announced plans to deploy ICE agents to polling stations, he has consistently made election security a core theme of his presidency.
Supporters say his emphasis reflects legitimate concerns about integrity in U.S. elections, while opponents view it as laying the groundwork for restrictive measures and fueling distrust in democratic processes.
The White House has not responded directly to Newsom’s latest comments.
https://twitter.com/EndWokeness/status/1961481275807551969
Political Divide Over Election Integrity
The debate over illegal voting has long divided the political spectrum. Democrats often dismiss claims of widespread non-citizen voting as exaggerated or unfounded, while Republicans highlight research and anecdotal evidence that point to vulnerabilities.
The Just Facts study has re-energized calls among conservatives for stricter ID requirements and verification systems. Reform proposals include enhanced citizenship checks, cross-state voter roll audits, and federal legislation requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration.
On the other hand, Democrats argue such measures amount to voter suppression and would disproportionately affect minority and low-income communities.
What’s at Stake
Newsom’s warning about potential ICE involvement adds a new twist to the debate, though critics note his claim lacks direct evidence. His remarks nonetheless spotlight broader concerns about how far political leaders may go in the name of “election security” as the 2026 midterms approach.
For voters, the clash highlights a stark reality: the integrity of U.S. elections is not just about laws on the books, but also about how those laws are enforced — and who enforces them.
Whether or not Trump would consider deploying immigration agents to polling sites remains unclear. But with voter trust already fragile, the perception alone could prove politically explosive.
The Bottom Line
Gavin Newsom’s suggestion that Trump could use ICE to intimidate voters underscores how charged the debate over election security has become. Combined with new research suggesting millions of non-citizens may be on voter rolls, the controversy is likely to remain a defining issue leading into 2026.
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