Just months after California was rocked by violent anti-ICE riots, California Governor Gavin Newsom claims that his state “cooperates” with federal immigration authorities.

Newsom made the statement during an interview with the Daily Wire’s Ben Shapiro, who pressed him on California’s sanctuary state status and his history of anti-ICE rhetoric. Most recently, Newsom’s press office suggested that the shooting of a woman driving her car toward an ICE agent in Minneapolis was “state-sponsored terrorism.”

“We work very directly with ICE as it relates to [California prisons]. California has cooperated with more ICE transfers than probably any other state in the country. And I’ve vetoed multiple pieces of legislation that have come from my legislature to stop the ability for the state of California to do that,” Newsom said.

“
So when it comes to the issues of violent criminals, when it comes to felons, people that are being released from the largest state system in the United States of America, California cooperates with ICE,” he added.

While Newsom told Shapiro that California prisons had handed over 10,000 illegal alien felons to ICE, the data during his tenure as governor tell a different story.

.@GavinNewsom REFUSES to tell @benshapiro if he thinks boys can become girls:

Shapiro: “The fundamental question…is the question that you’re not wanting to answer, which is whether boys can become girls.”

Newsom: “Yeah…I think…I’m for the grace of God…Yeah.” pic.twitter.com/Lse5fNw3SY

— Daily Wire (@realDailyWire) January 16, 2026

According to the Center for Immigration Studies, from October 1, 2022, to February 6, 2025, 52% of all ICE detainers — requests for local law enforcement to hold illegals arrested for crimes — were in California. The total number was over 13,000, well over the next highest total of 2,946 (Illinois).

Newsom also talked tough on handing over violent offenders, but during that same time, law enforcement in his state released at least 29 illegals facing homicide charges or convictions. Additionally, local law enforcement have pointed to state sanctuary city policies for hamstringing their ability to reach out to ICE when they arrest illegal aliens for crimes.

During his interview with Shapiro, Newsom admitted that it was a “fair” criticism to knock his press office for accusing ICE of committing terrorism and criticized calls from fellow Democrats to completely abolish the agency.

Newsom’s admission came after Shapiro told him his office accusing ICE of terrorism “makes our politics worse” and “our ICE officers are obviously not terrorists.”

After the Minneapolis shooting, Newsom claimed that ICE was acting as President Donald Trump’s “personal police force” and had “rampaged” America.

“His administration has driven extremism and cruelty while discarding basic safeguards and accountability,” Newsom claimed. “His reckless crackdown must end.”

In September, Newsom signed legislation aimed at barring ICE officers from wearing masks while they conduct operations. The bill came as ICE officers have faced a surge in harassment, assaults, and violent threats.

That law came after Los Angeles was rocked by violent riots as law enforcement officers were attacked and vehicles were burned after ICE started conducting operations in the area. The riots prompted President Trump to send in the National Guard to protect federal operations.

Newsom claimed that the move was “purposefully inflammatory” and would “erode public trust.” Those riots ended up costing more than $30 million, including more than $1.4 million in property damage.

Comedian Jay Leno said certain people believe he should get a girlfriend to keep him company as his wife of 45 years, Mavis, battles dementia.

The former host of “The Tonight Show” discussed what he’s been hearing during a recent episode of the “Life Above the Noise with Maria Shriver” podcast.

“I’ve said this a bunch of times: you take a vow when you get married — and people are stunned … they’re so shocked that you would live up to it,” Leno said. Mavis was diagnosed with dementia in 2024 and Leno was granted a conservatorship in April of that year.

“My favorite thing was … and this is the most Hollywood thing. A guy said to me, ‘So, are you gonna get a girlfriend now?’” the 75-year-old comedian said.

Leno said he responded by saying, “Well no, I have a girlfriend. I’m married. Been married 45 years.”

The person apparently pushed back, saying, “Yeah, but you know what I mean.”

Leno went on to marvel at how people’s views on marriage have changed over the years. “No, we’re kinda in this together here,” he recalls saying. “Honey, I’ll be with my girlfriend! I’ll be back later,” he joked.

Leno said people now aren’t used to “just doing the right thing because you’re supposed to.”

“That used to be the norm, and then when you strayed, that was the out-of-whack part. Now the out-of-whack part is fairly common, and staying and doing what you’re supposed to do is stunning to people,” Leno told Shriver. “We kind of made a deal.”

“This is that thing of, ‘Okay, you’ve been pretty lucky up to this point. It’s been easy sailing. This is where it gets a little tricky,’” the former late night host added. “I’m glad I’m passing the test. Because you never quite know what you’re going to do in that situation. So I like to think I made the right decision.”