DHS blasts Newsom for pardoning criminal illegal alien convicted of attempted murder

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The Department of Homeland Security is reacting in fury after California Gov. Gavin Newsom pardoned a Cambodian illegal alien with a deportation order who had been convicted of attempted murder & assault with a firearm.

DHS says the pardon will now shield the illegal alien from deportation, and will allow him to remain in the U.S. while he reapplies for legal status – which could take years.

The pardon, signed by Newsom on Dec. 18, 2025, reads:

Somboon Phaymany, a resident of California, has applied for executive clemency. On October 21, 1997, the Superior Court of California, County of San Diego, sentenced Mr. Phaymany to 14 years to life for attempted murder, assault with a semi-automatic firearm, assault with a firearm, and conspiracy to comit assault with a firearm, plus two years of enhancements. He was 19 years old at the tine of his crime.

Mr. Phaymany submitted a formal application for executive clemency in the form of a gubernatorial pardon. He has provided evidence that he is living an upright life and has demonstrated his fitness for restoration of civic rights and responsibilities.

In a press release, DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said “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.”

“Somboon Phaymany lost his green card following his conviction for attempted murder and assault with a firearm. Following the conviction, he was placed in removal proceedings and issued a final order of removal by a judge. Gavin Newsom’s pardon took away this attempted murderer’s qualifying convictions that made him removable from the U.S.,” McLaughlin added.

In a post on X, the DHS wrote, “ABSOLUTE INSANITY. Gavin Newsom pardoned an illegal alien convicted of ATTEMPTED MURDER. Somboon Phaymany lost his green card following his conviction for attempted murder and assault with a firearm. Following the conviction, he was placed in removal proceedings and issued a final order of removal by a judge.

“Gavin Newsom’s pardon took away this attempted murderer’s qualifying convictions that made him removable from the U.S. By protecting criminal illegal aliens like Phaymany, Gavin Newsom is putting the lives of ALL Americans at risk.”

Newsom’s press office fired back with a sneering response:

During this Lenten season—a time of repentance and forgiveness—we will continue to take our cues from religious leaders, not those who claim Christian Nationalism but can’t tell Peter from Paul.

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.

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.

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