Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) told the Trump administration to “spare us the outrage” after the Department of Homeland Security ripped the governor for pardoning an illegal immigrant who was convicted of attempted murder.
DHS issued a press release on Monday condemning Newsom for pardoning a Cambodian illegal immigrant last week, thus allowing the man to reopen immigration proceedings.
“The same people who turned the pardon power into a rewards program for political loyalists and the rich don’t get to lecture anyone about clemency,” a spokesperson for Newsom told the Washington Examiner. “In California, it’s a transparent, rigorous legal process, focused on individualized review of each applicant’s rehabilitation and public safety considerations – not political favors. Spare us the outrage.”
Somboon Phaymany was convicted of attempted murder in 1997 after he was the passenger in a car that pulled up to and confronted a group of rival gang members. Phaymany, who was 19 at the time, was not involved in the shooting that then took place.
Phaymany was sentenced to 14 years to life for attempted murder, assault with a semiautomatic firearm, assault with a firearm, and conspiracy to commit assault with a firearm.
Phaymany was released from parole and had applied for executive clemency in the form of a gubernatorial pardon, which was granted by Newsom on Feb. 20.
Newsom cited Phaymany’s “upright life,” which includes taking care of his elderly parents, volunteering in his Buddhist and Unitarian Church, and mentoring at-risk youth. Church leadership called Phaymany a pillar in its community.
DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin sharply criticized Newsom’s decision, calling it insanity, and said the pardon “took away this attempted murderer’s qualifying convictions that made him removable from the U.S.”
“Governor Newsom pardoning an illegal alien convicted of attempted murder, so he can remain in our country, is absolute INSANITY. These are the criminal illegal aliens he and his sanctuary politicians are protecting. He is putting the lives of all Americans at risk,” McLaughlin said.
In its press release, DHS also faulted Newsom for not honoring Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainers and releasing illegal immigrants from jails.
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“The crimes of these aliens include 31 homicides, 661 assaults, 574 burglaries, 184 robberies, 1,489 dangerous drugs offenses, 379 weapons offenses, and 234 sexual predatory offenses,” the release said, alongside photos of some inmates who are in the U.S. illegally.
Eight other individuals received gubernatorial pardons from Newsom the same day as Phaymany, although their charges were related to fraud, burglary, and drug possession.