U.S. President Donald Trump says sending National Guard to LA protests was a great decision and has targeted California Governor Gavin Newsom.

Responding to a reporter's question about the possibility of arresting Newsom, Trump said "I would do it, if I were Tom (Homan). I think it is great. Gavin likes the publicity but I think it would be a great thing."

The California governor and the White House have been feuding over how to handle protests in Los Angeles.

It started when Tom Homan, the border czar, warned that anyone, including public officials, would be arrested if they obstructed federal immigration enforcement.

“No one’s above the law,” he said on Fox & Friends, although he added that “there was no discussion” about arresting Newsom.

The California governor responded in an interview with MSNBC. “Come after me, arrest me. Let’s just get it over with, tough guy,” Newsom said.

Trump grinned when asked about the exchange after landing at the White House.

“I would do it if I were Tom. I think it’s great,” Trump said. “Gavin likes the publicity, but I think it would be a great thing. He’s done a terrible job.”

Protests over the president’s immigration crackdown spared much of Los Angeles from violence. Weekend clashes swept through several downtown blocks and a handful of other places.

"I like Gavin Newsom, he's a nice guy, but he's grossly incompetent," the president said, complaining about "the little railroad he's building" that is "100 times over budget." It's a reference to the much-delayed high-speed rail project, which predates Newsom's tenure.

Trump also criticized the protestors.

"The people that are causing these problems are professional agitators, they're insurrectionists, they're bad people. They should be in jail."