Gavin Newsom’s Stand Against Trump’s Policies
President Donald Trump has catapulted Gavin Newsom to the front of the Democratic resistance. The California governor had faded from national prominence as public attention shifted to Washington and, in his home state, the deliberations over Kamala Harris’ political future. But as Trump and his allies make Newsom their foil in a brawl over immigration unrest in Los Angeles and the president’s unilateral deployment of the National Guard and Marines, they are also elevating his stature on the left.
No longer is Newsom responding to criticism, often from fellow Democrats, over aligning with Republicans on transgender athletes or proposing to scale back health insurance for undocumented immigrants. Instead, as Trump turns California into a test of his power to impose his will on blue states, Newsom is the Democrat standing in his way.
Newsom’s Defiance and Legal Actions
“We’re at an inflection point in the country’s history,” said South Carolina state Rep. JA Moore, a lawmaker deeply involved in his state’s early presidential primary politics. “I see in this moment that the governor is fighting like hell, not just for the people of LA or the people of California or even the country. He’s fighting for democracy itself.”
In the span of several days, Newsom has become a ubiquitous antagonist, excoriating Trump administration officials on social media and on television. He has personalized the conflict by daring the administration to follow through on a threat by Trump’s border czar Tom Homan to arrest him. He is forcing a legal reckoning by suing to block Trump’s deployment of the National Guard and Marines.
Unity Among Democrats
Democrats have united behind Newsom, with top party officials echoing his warnings that Trump is unnecessarily thrusting the nation into crisis. Signatories included Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, a potential 2028 contender who earlier this year assailed Newsom for hosting Trump counselor Steve Bannon on his podcast. Governors were motivated to act by an “abuse of power that was much bigger than just one state,” one of the people familiar with the letter’s drafting said.
It is a perilous issue for Democrats, who have suffered from public sentiment favoring Trump’s hardline posture on immigration, and the dynamic cuts both ways. Trump himself mused that “Gavin loves the publicity” in response to a question about a potential arrest. Nightly images of protesters setting fires or clashing with law enforcement, even as Newsom has condemned demonstrators who destroy property, may play into Trump’s argument for federal intervention.
Support and Criticism
Even onetime foes, like former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, gave props for Newsom’s pugilistic stance. “I’ve criticized him in the past … but I commend him for what he’s doing,” Villaraigosa said. “You stand up to a bully. You don’t let a bully take away our First Amendment rights.”
The standoff marks a return to the arena for a governor who initially sought to avoid open strife with the president. Newsom worked with the Trump administration to secure wildfire aid and invited MAGA figures like Bannon on his podcast as part of a bid to make inroads with voters who swung away from the party in 2024.
Conclusion
Newsom’s defiant stand against Trump’s policies has not only garnered support from Democrats but has also sparked criticism from the Republican camp. As the battle continues, Newsom remains a key figure in defending democracy against authoritarianism.
