California Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) on Wednesday fired back at Attorney General Jeff Sessions, calling his actions on immigration policy “an embarrassment” to the state.
“Jeff Sessions just called me an embarrassment. A man whose legacy is targeting immigrants, re-waging the failed War on Drugs, sucking-up to private prison profiteers, and apologizing for white supremacists… I take that as a HUGE compliment,” Newsom tweeted.
Sessions on Wednesday announced a Department of Justice (DOJ) lawsuit against California on Wednesday during a speech to the California Peace Officers’ Association in Sacramento. The lawsuit aims to block three so-called sanctuary laws the state’s legislature passed last year.
{mosads}In his speech, Sessions argued the laws are harmful to the state’s residents and prevent law enforcement officers from doing their jobs.
He singled out Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf, who last month warned residents of an impending Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid. Schaaf defended her decision even after ICE said it was unable to locate more than 800 people as part of its sweep of the city.
“To make matters worse, the elected lieutenant governor of this state praised her for doing so,” Sessions said. “Bragging about and encouraging the obstruction of our law enforcement and the law is an embarrassment to this proud and important state.”
Newsom, who previously served as mayor of San Francisco, is running for governor. Gov. Jerry Brown (D), is in his final year in office.