The Democratic governor of liberal California has welcomed Donald Trump to his state, cosied up to Conservative podcasters , and slashed healthcare provisions for illegal immigrants this year.

But the reinvention of Gavin Newsom as the sort of Democrat who might be able to win back Republican voters came to a shuddering halt during a weekend of riots .

With Mr Trump ordering troops onto his streets, Mr Newsom hit back, accusing the president of intentionally inflaming a difficult situation. It leaves Mr Newsom with no choice but to halt his drift Right-ward, said Hank Sheinkopf, a Democratic strategist.

“If not, he loses his entire constituency,” he said. “In other words, there’s a toleration level for moving to the centre, but not when it comes to massive chaos in Los Angeles .”

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