Mehdi Hasan's Sharp Criticism Ignites Political Firestorm
Political commentator Mehdi Hasan has launched a fierce attack on California Governor Gavin Newsom. The controversy erupted after Newsom appeared on a podcast with conservative host Ben Shapiro. During their conversation, Shapiro stated that ICE officers are clearly not terrorists. Newsom responded by saying he thought that was a fair statement.
Viral Clip Sparks Immediate Backlash
That brief exchange quickly spread across social media platforms. Liberal voices reacted with strong disapproval. Many expressed concern that Newsom's comment could damage his political standing. The governor is widely seen as a potential Democratic presidential candidate for 2028.
Mehdi Hasan emerged as one of the most vocal critics. He took to social media platform X to voice his objections. Hasan questioned why Newsom would participate in what he called a self-destructive podcast appearance. He accused the governor of allowing right-wing voices to dominate the conversation.
Hasan wrote specifically about the incident. He said Newsom was jeopardizing his strong chance of winning the 2028 Democratic nomination. The commentator described the podcast as damaging to Newsom's political future.Background of the ICE Controversy
The discussion occurred on the podcast "This Is Gavin Newsom." Ben Shapiro raised the topic of anti-ICE protests. These protests followed a January 7 shooting in Minnesota connected to Renee Good's death. Shapiro argued it was unfair to label ICE agents as terrorists.
Newsom's agreement with Shapiro surprised many observers. The California governor has generally positioned himself as a progressive leader. His administration supports sanctuary policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
Hasan has been openly critical of ICE for several months. Following the Minnesota shooting, he called for the agency to be abolished. In January posts on X, he described ICE as lawless and rogue. Hasan argued that any Democrat who doesn't support abolishing ICE should face primary challenges.
Connections to Earlier Statements
The controversy connects to a January 7 post from Newsom's press office. That post used the phrase "STATE. SPONSORED. TERRORISM." Ben Shapiro referenced this statement during the podcast conversation. Shapiro suggested such language makes political discourse worse.
Newsom's agreement with Shapiro drew sharp backlash from liberal circles. Many expected the governor to offer a stronger defense of sanctuary policies. Instead, his comments appeared to align with conservative criticism of anti-ICE rhetoric.
Further Discussion on Sanctuary Policies
Later in the same January 15 podcast episode, Shapiro questioned why sanctuary states don't cooperate more with ICE. He suggested that working through jails would be preferable to arrests at sensitive locations like hospitals or churches.
Newsom responded clearly to this point. He stated that California does cooperate with ICE through specific channels. The governor explained that such cooperation happens within the framework of state laws and policies.
The entire episode has sparked broader conversations about political strategy. Analysts are debating how potential presidential candidates should engage with media across the political spectrum. The incident highlights the challenges politicians face in navigating today's polarized media landscape.
