Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) called the director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) an “a plus prick” in an official government email obtained by NTK Network.
Newsome was citing a story by SFGate.com that focused on ICE officials arresting illegal immigrants in California. In the email, sent to his sister, Hilary, Newsom wrote:
“No doubt in my mind they will target us – the ice director is an a plus prick this is personal / political strategy , get ready.”
The ICE director in question is Thomas Homan, who assumed the role shortly after President Trump took office in January 2017.
Tensions between the state of California and federal immigration officials have been escalating for weeks. Earlier this month, the Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a lawsuit alleging that three California laws deliberately interfered with federal immigration policies.
Gov. Jerry Brown (D-CA) called the move “an act of war.”
Newsom, clearly aligning himself with Brown, is running to replace the governor in November in an incredibly crowded field. Other Democrats running include Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, state Treasurer John Chiang, and former Hillary Clinton staffer Amanda Renteria.
The jungle primary, in which the two top vote-getters regardless of party move on to the general election, is being held on June 5.