Newsom Says Trump Will Send ICE To Polling Stations In Bizarre Rant

California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) is once again resorting to baseless scare tactics, this time alleging that President Donald Trump may deploy Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers to polling locations in order to intimidate voters during the 2026 midterms.

In an interview with journalist Kara Swisher, Newsom claimed Trump was working to “wire” America’s elections for decades to come, warning that the President might even attempt to consolidate power beyond his current term. The remarks sparked immediate backlash, with many on social media pointing out that Newsom appeared to be admitting what Democrats have long denied — that illegal immigrants are participating in California’s elections.

“We have to recognize that there are no limits with this guy. If he could rig next year’s election … I mean, we joke about not having another [election], I don’t think that’s a joke. He will wire this for the next 20 to 30 years,” Newsom claimed.

“He’s already sending out masked people to intimidate folks,” he added — a swipe at ICE officers who began covering their faces only after Democrat activists started doxing them and targeting their families.

Newsom went even further, suggesting that immigration authorities would patrol polling places in California. “When we launched our campaign, did it down in Little Tokyo in LA — do you think ICE is not going to show up around voting and polling booths to chill participation?” he asked.

Newsom’s comments drew heavy criticism online, with users highlighting that his concerns about ICE “chilling participation” essentially reveal that illegal immigrants have been voting in the state — something Democrats routinely deny while opposing voter ID laws.

Despite his claims, there is no evidence ICE has any role in election monitoring or polling place oversight.

In his tirade, Newsom also revived an old talking point that Trump intends to run again in 2028, despite constitutional term limits. “I don’t think Donald Trump wants another election … I have two dozen Trump 2028 hats his folks keep sending me,” he told Politico.

He even accused the President of showcasing the hats to foreign leaders, warning, “You think when he brings foreign leaders to the Oval Office and he goes to the White House store … and he shows them the 2028 hats, he’s not being serious? Wake up. You will lose your country.”

While Newsom spread panic, President Trump doubled down on election integrity. On Truth Social, he announced plans to require voter ID nationwide through executive action:

“Voter I.D. Must Be Part of Every Single Vote. NO EXCEPTIONS! I Will Be Doing An Executive Order To That End!!! Also, No Mail-In Voting, Except For Those That Are Very Ill, And The Far Away Military.”

Trump’s statement comes as Republican-led states push stronger election safeguards, while Democrats like Newsom continue to resist voter ID measures that enjoy overwhelming public support.

With Trump setting the agenda on election security, and Democrats stumbling into admissions about illegal voting, the debate over voter access versus election integrity is shaping up to be a defining issue in 2026.