Governor Gavin Newsom has rolled out a new statewide initiative to combat surging crime by deploying California Highway Patrol “crime suppression teams” across several key regions, including Los Angeles, San Diego, Sacramento, the Bay Area, the Central Valley, and the Inland Empire. These teams are tasked with targeting vehicle theft, drug trafficking, and organized retail crime, in coordination with local police agencies.
The move comes just weeks after President Trump sent federal forces and National Guard units into Democratic-run cities to address violent crime. While Newsom has criticized Trump’s actions as unnecessary militarization, his own initiative has drawn comparisons for its focus on law-and-order crackdowns.
The White House responded sharply, mocking the governor for “copying Trump’s agenda” while stressing that reducing crime should remain a bipartisan priority. Newsom, however, framed his plan as a localized and collaborative approach that avoids federal overreach while addressing public safety concerns.
As the program begins, both supporters and critics agree the results in California’s largest cities will be closely watched, particularly as debates over crime policy remain central in the national political landscape.