Gavin Newsom challenges Ron DeSantis to live debate after migrants flown to Martha’s Vineyard

California Governor Gavin Newsom has challenged Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to a televised debate after DeSantis flew 50 migrants to Martha’s Vineyard.

Newsom’s challenge came after DeSantis defended flying the migrants to Martha’s Vineyard, saying that it was done to highlight the crisis at the Southern border.

“In Florida, we take what is happening at the southern border seriously. We are not a sanctuary state, and we will gladly facilitate the transport of illegal immigrants to sanctuary jurisdictions,” DeSantis said.

Newson responded by inviting DeSantis to a televised debate before the elections: “Hey @GovRonDeSantis, clearly you’re struggling, distracted, and busy playing politics with people’s lives. Since you have only one overriding need — attention –let’s take this up & debate. I’ll bring my hair gel. You bring your hairspray. Name the time before Election Day. @CNN”

Newsom’s “hairspray” remark was in response to a Friday comment made by DeSantis where he said that Newsom’s “hair gel is interfering with his brain function.”

“So the Governor of California sent a letter to the Department of Justice saying, ‘You need to prosecute Texas and Florida Governors.’ And all I can say is, I think his hair gel is interfering with his brain function,” DeSantis said at a press conference last week.

Newsom has already urged the Department of Justice to investigate both DeSantis and Texas Governor Greg Abbott, accusing them of using migrants as “political pawns” after both governors have sent migrants to liberal states and “sanctuary cities.”

“What @GovRonDeSantis and @GregAbbott_TX are doing isn’t clever, it’s cruel. I’m formally requesting the DOJ begin an immediate investigation into these inhumane efforts to use kids as political pawns,” Newsom said in tweet.

Abbott has already bussed migrants to DC, Chicago and New York, however most recently, he began bussing migrants to Vice President Kamala Harris’s residence.

“This morning, two Texas buses of migrants arrived at the Naval Observatory in DC. VP Harris claims our border is ‘secure’ & denies the crisis. We’re sending migrants to her backyard to call on the Biden Administration to do its job & secure the border,” Abbott tweeted.

Newson has also hit out at Republican states by recently launching a billboard campaign in several red states touting access to abortion in California.

“Just launched billboards in 7 of the most restrictive anti-abortion states that explain how women can access care–no matter where they live,” Newsom added in another tweet. “To any woman seeking an abortion in these anti-freedom states: CA will defend your right to make decisions about your own health.”