Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) bashed each other’s efforts as leaders over topics such as immigration.
The two leaders got into a direct spat on X on Wednesday. The exchange began when Newsom, quoting an article about machines used to detect fentanyl sitting unused, attacked Johnson over his record on border security.
“As @GOP screams ‘BORDER CRISIS!’…Here’s what they are doing to help: NOTHING. Actually, worse than nothing,” Newsom wrote. “Machines that could stop the flow of fentanyl across our border are now literally sitting in warehouses. Unused. Not installed. All thanks to the fine leadership of @SpeakerJohnson, going above and beyond the call of Donald Trump.”
Johnson responded within hours, citing legislation opposed by Democrats that sought to secure the border while bringing attention to California’s response to immigration.
“Actually we’ve passed: HR 2, The Laken Riley Act, Bills to deter illegals from committing social security fraud, fleeing border patrol, or drunk driving,” the House speaker responded. “Much better than the Newsom approach of free health care, lodging & ‘sanctuary to all who seek it.’”
Newsom gave a concluding remark by accusing Johnson of blocking funding for border security, also calling the speaker a “fraud.”
“Oops. You left out that whole part about how you blocked $20 billion in funding for things like: – 1,500 new border agents. – 4,300 asylum officers. – New cutting edge tech to detect and stop the flow of fentanyl. You’re a fraud,” he said.
Johnson once again responded by questioning calls for further funding, accusing the Biden administration of being responsible for the border crisis that necessitates such funding.
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“Why is the Administration asking for more money? Because their policies opened the border. And those failures are amplified by reckless mayors and Governors like yourself,” Johnson wrote. “Doubling down on these failed policies is why people are leaving California faster than any other state.”
Democrats and Republicans have blamed each other for the worsening situation at the border for months. Republicans allege that Democrats are aiming for an open border policy, while Democrats allege that Republicans are purposefully blocking border security legislation to harm Biden politically.
