Speaking in California, Trump says Gov. Jerry Brown is 'doing a terrible job'

Donald Trump.
(Image credit: Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images)

President Trump's first official trip to California is off to a tense start.

Trump touched ground in San Diego on Tuesday morning to review a lineup of prototypes for his proposed border wall. But on his first trip as president to the Golden State, Trump took the opportunity to trash California while speaking to reporters, attacking Gov. Jerry Brown (D) in particular.

"Governor Brown has done a very poor job running California," Trump said. The Los Angeles Times published video of Trump's remarks, which also include him maligning state policy: "They have the highest taxes in the United States. The place is totally out of control. You have sanctuary cities where you have criminals living in the sanctuary cities."

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The president also criticized Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf (D), who alerted residents of a coming raid by Immigration and Customs Enforcement in an effort to protect undocumented residents. Schaaf's action protected "very dangerous people," Trump claimed.

Trump's comments come one week after Brown feuded with Attorney General Jeff Sessions over the state's sanctuary policies, with Sessions announcing a lawsuit to force officials to cooperate with immigrant deportations. On Tuesday, Trump insisted that if California doesn't change its ways, "people are going to start to move pretty soon."

After speaking in San Diego, the president traveled north to Los Angeles, where he will participate in a Republican National Committee fundraiser.

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Summer Meza, The Week US

Summer Meza has worked at The Week since 2018, serving as a staff writer, a news writer and currently the deputy editor. As a proud news generalist, she edits everything from political punditry and science news to personal finance advice and film reviews. Summer has previously written for Newsweek and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, covering national politics, transportation and the cannabis industry.