Could last night mark the moment when California’s Governor Gavin Newsom officially entered the race for the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination?
“What Donald Trump desires most is your loyalty, your silence, to be complicit in this moment. Do not succumb to him,” he urged, addressing not just Californians, but the entire nation.
This has been a long time coming; it likely wasn’t part of any prior plan and undoubtedly carries significant risks.
Yet, Newsom’s fierce critique of President Donald Trump could indicate that he has finally committed to taking a chance.
Gavin Newsom has been a frequent target of Donald Trump’s verbal assaults.
On Sunday night, during a televised interview, Newsom sounded increasingly like someone ready to make a bold move, challenging the president to act on his threat to arrest him: “Why don’t you just get it over with – arrest me, but stop attacking these vulnerable people,” he stated.
Following his comprehensive criticism of Trump’s presidential agenda, it’s clear that circumstances compelled him to take this direction.
While the timing may not be ideal—it’s a long road to the 2028 election—no one could have predicted the fallout from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency’s raid on illegal immigrants in a Los Angeles suburb last Friday.
This triggered protests, a strong response from the president who dispatched troops, and it seems Mr. Newsom has concluded that he can no longer remain passive—this is his opportunity to position himself as the leader of the opposition in Trump’s America.
Watch: Newsom accuses Donald Trump of escalating LA violence
Trump has consistently targeted Newsom, viewing him as a serious potential rival, which explains the necessity to undermine him and his affluent state, the most populous in the nation.
Newsom has also provided ample fodder for criticism—California’s politics often contrast sharply with MAGA principles. Still, there exists a grudging respect within Trump’s attacks.
That’s why the president has suggested that Newsom should be grateful for the military intervention that protected Los Angeles from potential chaos.
Last night, Newsom responded fiercely, deeming the troop deployment a cover for a sinister agenda—the erosion of the U.S. constitutional framework and traditions in what he sees as Trump’s power grab.
Gavin Newsom has identified various reasons to avoid running for president.
Recently, Newsom has been repositioning himself toward a more pragmatic center in U.S. politics, attempting to distance himself from the leftist caricature often associated with California.
The risk of claiming a leadership stance on immigration enforcement is that it might tether him to the “California crazy” image that he must shed to appeal to voters in the other 49 states.
However, Trump’s provocations leave him little choice, so he confronted the situation head-on. Here’s how he framed his opposition to the President:
“Just yesterday, we filed a legal challenge against Donald Trump’s reckless use of American troops in a major American city.
“Today, we sought an emergency court order to prevent military involvement in law enforcement across Los Angeles. If any of us can be taken off the streets without a warrant based solely on suspicion or race, then none of us are truly safe,” Newsom asserted.
“This is a president who, in just over 140 days, has dismissed government watchdogs that could hold him accountable for corruption and fraud. He has waged a war—on culture, history, science, and knowledge itself. Databases are disappearing. He’s undermining news organizations and attacking the First Amendment.
“The Rule of Law has increasingly given way to the rule of Don.”
“By threatening to cut off their funding, he’s dictating what universities are allowed to teach. He’s targeting law firms and the judiciary, which are the pillars of a civilized society. He’s calling for the arrest of a sitting governor for no other reason than his own election,” he added.
“And we all know this Saturday, he’s ordering our American heroes, the United States military, to put on a grotesque display to celebrate his birthday, reminiscent of other failed dictators in history.
“California might be at the forefront, but it certainly won’t stop here. Other states will follow. Democracy itself is in jeopardy. This moment we feared has arrived,” he declared.
Read more: Marines arrive in LA as curfew comes into effect amid protests.
“He’s taking a wrecking ball to the foundational project set forth by our founding fathers: three co-equal branches of independent government. There are no longer any checks and balances. Congress seems absent. Speaker Johnson has completely surrendered that responsibility.
“The Rule of Law has increasingly given way to the rule of Don,” he reiterated.
“In this moment, we must all rise and demand accountability—a higher standard of accountability. If you choose to exercise your First Amendment rights, please do so peacefully.
“I understand many of you are experiencing profound anxiety, stress, and fear; yet, you are the antidote to that anxiety. What Donald Trump wants most is your loyalty, your silence, your complicity in this moment. Do not yield to him,” he urged.
The broadcast concluded abruptly and dramatically with those impactful words.
Appropriately, the speech carried a Hollywood touch—a Hollywood beginning, not a Hollywood conclusion—implying that all the plot twists are still to unfold.
