California Gov. Gavin Newsom invites Vice President JD Vance to debate face-to-face after Vance accuses him of endangering police.

Newsom Calls Out Vance for Debate Over Policing

California Governor Gavin Newsom on Friday publicly challenged Vice President JD Vance to a debate, intensifying a high-profile political clash over law enforcement policy. The challenge came after Vance, speaking in Los Angeles, accused Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass of “endangering law enforcement,” citing feedback from local officials. Newsom, a Democrat, responded directly to the vice president on social media, writing, “Hey @JDVance — nice of you to finally make it out to California. Since you’re so eager to talk about me, how about saying it to my face? Let’s debate. Time and place?”

So far, Vice President Vance has not responded publicly to Newsom’s invitation for a face-to-face debate. Requests for comment sent to Vance’s press team remained unanswered at the time of publication.

Administration Officials Trade Accusations

The dispute escalated after Vance’s remarks in Los Angeles, where he claimed, “The law enforcement officials themselves tell me as much.” In response, Newsom’s communications director, Izzy Gardon, strongly denied the allegations and called Vance “a liar” in a statement. “The Vice President’s claim is categorically false. There is no evidence to support his made-up claim — and we challenge him to produce any. The Governor has consistently condemned violence, including against law enforcement officers, and has made his stance clear over and over again,” Gardon stated, providing a list of links to social media posts underscoring Newsom’s record.

One highlighted post from Newsom urged Angelenos not to “take Trump’s bait,” cautioning that violence and property damage would result in arrests, and emphasized a commitment to keeping protests peaceful. “Those who assault law enforcement or cause property damage will risk arrest. Stay peaceful. Stay focused. Don’t give him the excuse he’s looking for,” the governor’s post read.

In a further twist, Gardon’s statement referenced “Jose Vance,” a play on Vance’s own recent gaffe in which he misnamed California Senator Alex Padilla as “Jose Padilla.” Senator Padilla, speaking on MSNBC, responded that Vance’s error “is an indicator of how petty and unserious this administration is.”

The exchange marks the latest in a series of public confrontations between state and federal leaders over policing, public safety, and the direction of political discourse. Newsom’s challenge has drawn attention to ongoing disputes about the roles and responsibilities of government officials in addressing law enforcement concerns in California.

As both camps stand firm in their positions, the possibility of a direct debate between Governor Newsom and Vice President Vance remains open. Whether the challenge is accepted could further shape the national conversation about public safety and political accountability in the months ahead.