Protests in LA: Who is Gavin Newsom, the California governor known for his confrontations with former President Donald Trump?
Is Gavin Newsom the Dem's Been-Waiting-For Anti-Trump?
Let's cut to the chase — is California's governor, Gavin Newsom, the Democratic Party's dream anti-Trump figure? Well, with the ongoing standoff between the two, it sure appears that way. The clash between these two political titans has been heating up since early June, with the heart of the conflict being the U.S. President's decision to deploy the military to combat protests against expulsions of migrants in Los Angeles (USA).
Since Friday, the city's been a hotspot for protests denouncing ICE raids against undocumented immigrants. While most protesters are peace-loving, gathered clashes between some protesters and law enforcement have marked these events. Los Angeles' Mayor, Karen Bass, even declared a curfew on Tuesday.
Donald Trump's decision to send thousands of military personnel to the scene has been the bone of contention between the two men. The U.S. President stated his intentions to put an end to "anarchy" and warned he wouldn't tolerate an American city overrun by foreign enemies. However, humble golfer Gavin Newsom called it a "threat to the very foundation of our democracy" during a press conference on Tuesday.
2028: Newsom's Ambition Revealed
At 57, this Democratic guy's managing the most populous and economically powerful state in the U.S., and he's frequently attacking the American billionaire. He's even taken legal action to prevent the deployment of federal troops in Los Angeles. "Donald Trump's behaving like a tyrant, not a president," he proclaimed during a press conference.
Trump, the self-declared billionaire, hasn't spared his criticism either. He believes Newsom's doing a "horrible job" and has said that arresting the California governor would be a "super" decision.
The ongoing battle between the two men seems like an attempt by Newsom to position himself as the main opponent of the Republican President. A look into the future reveals that he's eyeing the 2028 presidential election. "It's clear that without Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, he would've tried to run in 2024," notes Seth Masket, a political scientist from the University of Denver (Colorado). He adds that Newsom has been trying to make his name known nationally, including debating against Republican Ron DeSantis on television.
Moderate Democrat with Tenacity
Newsom, with his graying hair, is one of the favorites for the Democratic nomination in the next presidential election. Born in 1967 in San Francisco, he was initially a businessman before becoming Mayor of his hometown in 2003 and being re-elected in 2007. He gained fame by legalizing same-sex marriages, which were illegal at the time.
Father of four, divorced, and remarried to documentary filmmaker Jennifer Siebel, he's led California since January 2019. An excellent speaker, "tenacious," "he's developed a very effective personal rhetoric style and is capable of quickly bringing up historical facts and statistics during an interview or a debate," notes Seth Masket. Skills perfect for a verbal sparring match with Donald Trump.
Newsom has emphasized certain left-wing priorities, such as abortion, by notably including this right in the California Constitution in 2022. He's also known for the strength of the measures taken in 2020 to combat COVID-19. He's perceived as moderate within his party, a rarity for a California Democrat.
Criticism from within his Party
Confronting Donald Trump, "a simple way to stand out from other Democrats" says Seth Masket, "and to appear a friend of progressives without having to make too liberal political decisions." In February, he announced that he'd spend $50 million (€43.6 million) on "legal defenses" to "ensure California is protected from Trump's policies," according to Politico.
However, Cali's governor regularly faces criticism from within his own party. Some criticize his decision to ban homeless encampments in May, a widespread problem in the state, according to New York Times. Others are concerned about his proximity to several Republican politicians. In March, the New Yorker described Newsom's podcast, where he hosts conservatives like Charlie Kirk, as "embarrassing." In February, he was accused by an elected official from his state of "throwing trans people under the bus," after he said that the participation of transgender athletes in sporting competitions was "unfair," according to the Guardian.
A Popularity Rating Similar to Trump's
In the absence of Democratic leadership since Kamala Harris' defeat in the presidential election, Newsom's been trying to make his mark. "Democratic voters aren't very enthusiastic; it's a good time for politicians to try to gain significance," notes Seth Masket, who adds that "opposing Trump is a good way to do this, while the left electorate is looking for a champion."
If he wants to stand a chance in the 2028 election, Newsom'll have to convince independent voters and some Republicans, while Cali politicians are often caricatured as disconnected from the rest of the country. According to a YouGov poll published on June 10, 39% of Americans have a "bad" or "very bad" image of Gavin Newsom. A situation surprisingly similar to that of his president, whose unpopularity rating reached 40% on April 2, according to the same institute.
The deadlock in Los Angeles and the rise in violence could also hinder Newsom's ambitions. This line of attack is already favored by the American president: "The incompetent governor of California has not been able to ensure the protection of our ICE agents, despite their patriotic greatness," he criticized on his Truth Social network on Wednesday morning.
- In response to the U.S. President's decision to deploy military personnel to combat protests, Governor Gavin Newsom has taken legal action to prevent their deployment, viewing it as a threat to democracy.
- The ongoing conflict between Gavin Newsom and Donald Trump seems to be a strategic move by Newsom to position himself as a potential competitor in the future, particularly for the 2028 presidential election.
- Seth Masket, a political scientist from the University of Denver, notes that Newsom has been attempting to make his name known nationally, including debating against Republican Ron DeSantis on television.
- Despite the opposition from Trump and some within his own party, Newsom's tenacious leadership and effective rhetoric style have made him a favorite for the Democratic nomination in the next presidential election.
- Both Gavin Newsom and Donald Trump have unpopularity ratings similar to each other, at 39% in a YouGov poll, reflecting a need for a popular champion among Democratic voters and independent voters alike.
