Does California have lower homicide rates than some southern US states?

Governor Gavin Newsom argued with Republican politicians over crime rates, saying California’s is lower than other states.

As protesters in Los Angeles denounced United States President Donald Trump’s deportation policies, sometimes leading to clashes with law enforcement, Republican and Democratic politicians sparred over who has the bigger crime problem: blue states or red states.

California Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, took to X to challenge three elected Republican officials who had offered posts critical of California and Newsom’s handling of the recent protests.

"Lock him up."

"LA looks like a third world country — anarchists are in charge, law enforcement is being attacked, and the rule of law is nonexistent." pic.twitter.com/v718Yau6wh