Gavin Newsom knows the popular image of him is of a smooth talker with slicked-back hair, the wealthy liberal who co-owns a vineyard.

A group of masked U.S. Border Patrol agents showed up in trucks outside of the press conference at the Japanese American National Museum.

Newsom’s eagerness is understandable. At a time when Democrats in California and nationally want more combativeness from their politicians, Newsom is engaging in a personal clash with the 47th president with very high stakes that he claims he can win.