Governor Gavin Newsom’s office clashed with the Trump administration’s Department of Homeland Security after an illegal immigrant truck driver killed three Americans in a horrific crash on the Florida Turnpike.
The driver, Harjinder Singh, who crossed the southern border illegally in 2018, attempted an unlawful U-turn at an “Official Use Only” crossing, colliding with a minivan and killing all three passengers inside. Singh was arrested for vehicular homicide and placed under an ICE detainer.
As outrage spread over California’s role in granting Singh a commercial driver’s license, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin pointed the finger squarely at Governor Newsom’s sanctuary-state policies. “Those three people would still be alive otherwise,” McLaughlin argued, noting California’s practice of issuing licenses to individuals in the country illegally.
Newsom’s press shop fired back with a mocking graphic directed at DHS, attempting to shift blame back to Washington. “Hey, genius: the federal government (TRUMP ADMIN) already confirmed that this guy meets federal and state immigration requirements — YOU issued him a work permit (EAD). As usual, the Trump Administration is either lying or clueless. p.s. @grok, who was President in 2018?” the post read.
Hey, genius: the federal government (TRUMP ADMIN) already confirmed that this guy meets federal and state immigration requirements — YOU issued him a work permit (EAD).
As usual, the Trump Administration is either lying or clueless.
p.s. @grok, who was President in 2018? https://t.co/OHVnC3zS20 pic.twitter.com/raF7hFWGkb
— Governor Newsom Press Office (@GovPressOffice) August 18, 2025
The graphic sought to emphasize that Singh had entered the U.S. during Trump’s first term, prior to Newsom taking office, and claimed California could not issue a license without federal approval.
But McLaughlin responded with documentation showing Singh’s request for work authorization was denied under Trump in 2020. It was not until June 2021 — months into Joe Biden’s presidency — that Singh was granted authorization, opening the door for him to obtain a California license.
“False. Harjinder Singh is in the United States illegally and his work authorization was rejected under the Trump Administration on September 14, 2020. It was later approved under the Biden Administration June 9, 2021,” McLaughlin wrote, before delivering her rebuttal with a sting: “Sincerely, Genius.”
False. Harjinder Singh is in the United States illegally and his work authorization was rejected under the Trump Administration on September 14, 2020. It was later approved under the Biden Administration June 9, 2021.
The state of California issues Commercial Drivers Licenses.… https://t.co/4YSs3qIj2B
— Tricia McLaughlin (@TriciaOhio) August 18, 2025
The back-and-forth underscores the bitter fight over immigration enforcement between the Trump administration and Democrat leaders like Newsom. California’s decision to accommodate illegal immigrants with driver’s licenses and IDs has repeatedly collided with federal immigration policy, and in this case, has left three Americans dead.
The post Gavin Newsom Tangles With DHS Over Illegal Accused Of Killing Three Americans With Semi-Truck appeared first on Real News Now.
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