Newsom Slams Trump: 'Failed Dictator' Threatening US Democracy

California Governor Gavin Newsom's scathing criticism of Donald Trump as a threat to democracy has ignited a firestorm of debate. In a televised address on Tuesday night, Newsom directly compared the US president to "failed dictators," citing Trump's deployment of military forces to quell protests in Los Angeles as evidence of authoritarian tendencies. "He chose theatrics over public safety," Newsom stated, highlighting Trump's mobilization of over 2,000 National Guard members and 700 active US Marines for what Newsom deemed an unnecessary show of force. Newsom's comments come amidst rising concerns about the erosion of democratic norms in the United States. Newsom's speech emphasized the potential for abuse of power, stating, "If some of us can be snatched off the streets without a warrant, based only on suspicion or skin color, then none of us are safe." He warned that such actions are characteristic of authoritarian regimes that target the most vulnerable. The governor's strong words are likely to further polarize the political landscape, but they underscore the gravity of the situation and the urgent need for a national conversation about the future of American democracy. Newsom's address concludes with a stark warning: "Democracy is under assault before our eyes. This moment we have feared has arrived."