Gov. Gavin Newsom Monday refuted a report that he personally appealed to President Trump in order to obtain federal aid in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

The New York Times reported over the weekend that in earlier stages of the COVID-19 outbreak, Gov. Newsom was told that if he wanted the federal government to help the state obtain the swabs needed for testing, he would have to ask Trump himself and thank him.

According to the report, Newsom made the call as requested. Newsom later that day gave Trump credit during a news conference for the “substantial increase in supply.”

“It’s not true,” Newsom said during a news conference Monday. “To the extent we were able to procure those swabs, we were grateful and I expressed gratitude, but no one told me to express it.”

Newsom added that he is grateful to Trump’s administration for the help in procuring the swabs and additional front-line personnel. “Anybody that is willing to help this state, I’m going to express deep gratitude for that help,” he said.

However, the governor also took aim at the president, claiming “We need a national strategy” and that California needs more support when it comes to contact tracing and enforcing isolation and social-distancing protocols.

“We certainly look forward to being able to complement those efforts if and when they materialize,” Newsom said.

Trump says federal law enforcement could be headed to Oakland

Further contributing to hostility between California and the Capitol, Trump on Monday said he may send federal law enforcement to several cities such as New York, Chicago, Philadelphia — and Oakland.

“Oakland is a mess,” the president said. “We’re not going to let this happen in our country. All run by liberal democrats. More federal law enforcement, I can tell you that.”

Trump then asserted that politicians in those regions are “afraid” of protestors, who he referred to as “anarchists.”

Asked if he had heard anything from federal officials about federal troops being sent to Oakland, Newsom said, “The answer is no, and we would reject it.”