Stephen A. Smith sounded the alarm for Democrats on Monday, warning that their stance on illegal immigration could cost them big. The outspoken commentator called out California Governor Gavin Newsom and other party leaders for opposing President Trump’s deportation efforts, saying they’re “playing right into the hands of Donald Trump.”
Over the weekend, the National Guard was deployed to Los Angeles County as anti-ICE protests escalated. The city of Paramount became a flashpoint, with protesters clashing with federal authorities attempting to carry out immigration raids. Democrats have criticized Trump for deploying troops, with some even blaming him for the violent unrest.
Smith didn’t hold back. He took aim at Newsom’s lawsuit challenging the use of federalized National Guard troops in California. “Why the hell are you playing right into the hands of Donald Trump?” he asked. “Because I’ve got news for you, it involved migrants, immigrants, those who are undocumented, dare we say illegal in the United States of America. He’s winning on this issue. There’s a reason he won the popular vote.”
He warned that resisting Trump on immigration gives the former president another political win. “When you see Gavin Newsom speaking about it, when you see Mayor Bass speaking about it, when you hear Democrats speaking against Donald Trump ultimately—he's going to be able to say, ‘They're speaking against me on this issue,’ which he knows he has the support of the American people on. And as a result, it's going to be yet the latest derailment for the Democratic Party if they're not careful.”
Smith also cautioned that this could hurt Newsom’s national ambitions. “People are looking at Newsom as a presidential candidate in 2028,” Smith said. “This ain't going to win it for him. Not when we look at the state of California and its state income taxes. Not when we look at the cost of living. Not when we look at crime in the streets. Not when we look at homelessness. Not when we look at the border issue… This ain't the issue for him to fall on his sword over.”
He continued, “I don't know if he can win this issue. I don't know if Gavin Newsom has won any issue lately… to be so smart and to be so sharp, but to find himself on the wrong side of issues time and time again, when it comes to the state of California in the eyes of people, it's hard to imagine what's going on.”
Appearing later on The Daily Show, Smith shut down speculation about running for office. He said he had no interest in giving up his wealth or becoming beholden to political donors. Smith, who usually votes Democrat but has criticized the far-left, had previously floated a presidential run—but on Monday, he made clear he’s staying out of the game.