California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office is attempting to mock President Donald Trump’s characterization of Los Angeles as “occupied” by illegal immigrants, using artificial intelligence and the voice of a “Star Wars” villain.
In a video Newsom’s office posted on X Tuesday morning, the voice of Emperor Palpatine recites a recent Trump post on Truth Social, accompanied by footage of marching Stormtroopers.
“A once great American city, Los Angeles, has been invaded and occupied by illegal aliens and criminals,” the sneering voice says, reminiscent of the emperor’s evil monologues from the film franchise. “Now, violent, insurrectionist mobs are swarming and attacking our Federal Agents to try and stop our deportation operations, but these lawless riots only strengthen our resolve.”
“Order will be restored. The illegals will be expelled, and Los Angeles will be set free,” the one-minute, 21-second video concludes.
Newsom’s trolling of Trump comes as federal immigration agents continue to raid Southern California businesses and gathering places for day laborers as part of his mass deportation effort.
The raids have been met with resistance in many cases and have led to disruptive and violent protests in the streets of Los Angeles and several suburbs over the past week.
On Sunday, protesters and outside “agitators” burned cars, vandalized buildings and attacked officers with rocks, fireworks and other projectiles in downtown Los Angeles. Law enforcement responded with tear gas, flash bangs and rubber bullets.
On Saturday, the same day he posted the message on Truth Social, Trump ordered National Guard troops to L.A. to protect federal agents. Newsom, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and many local leaders criticized the move as unnecessary, provocative and an overreach of the president’s authority.
“If I didn’t “SEND IN THE TROOPS” to Los Angeles the last three nights, that once beautiful and great City would be burning to the ground right now, much like 25,000 houses burned to the ground in L.A. due to an incompetent Governor and Mayor,” Trump posted on Truth Social on Tuesday morning, referring to January’s Palisades and Eaton wildfires.