No-Nonsense Take: Gavin Newsom vs. Trump: The Unconventional Battle for Power
The individual countering Trump's policies seeks his desired objectives.
By Hubertus Volmer
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In the ongoing battle between US President Donald Trump and California Governor Gavin Newsom, it seems that the Golden State is caught in the crossfire of a power struggle. The stakes? Not entirely clear. But Newsom may just be the one to win more from this than Trump.
The charges and counter-charges have become almost identical: California Governor Gavin Newsom is the instigator of the violent protests in Los Angeles, claims Trump, once again using California as a bogeyman. Newsom denies this. Instead, it's Trump whose actions have caused a massive escalation by sending in the National Guard.
"This was a reckless move, endangering lives," said Newsom. He deemed it an un-American action and filed a lawsuit against the US government over the use of the National Guard in a federal court in San Francisco.
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Trump ordered the deployment of the National Guard on Sunday evening. This is legally tricky: no US president has deployed the National Guard against the will of the affected state for 70 years. Even in 2020, Trump himself said as president, he could not send the National Guard – a quote that Newsom used in his lawsuit against Trump.
Trump's Label for Newsom
Newsom has been publicly standing as Trump's antithesis since his first term. Despite disputes, he has tried to maintain a personal connection with Trump. However, when Trump attributed the wildfires to California, Newsom responded restrainedly.
Newsom initially aimed to de-escalate the conflict over the California protests. But he has since abandoned that goal. On X, he called Trump a "cold-blooded liar" who behaves "like a dictator, not like a president." On Monday, in a Washington Post interview, he deemed the president "reckless" and "disturbed." Trump is now a different president than at the beginning of his term, Newsom said, citing his attempts to undermine congressional oversight and prevent judicial control of the government.
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Trump has been fueling the feud with Newsom. He now aims to mobilize a total of 4,000 National Guard troops and announced the deployment of an additional 700 Marines. Lately, he's even given Newsom a nickname – "Gavin Newscum."
Calling for Newsom's Arrest
Trump has done several things to fan the flames with Newsom. Most notably, he has publicly brought up the idea of having Newsom arrested: On Saturday, his border czar Tom Homan told NBC News that he would arrest anyone getting in the way of his agency's officers – including Newsom. When reporters asked Trump on Monday if he thought Newsom should be arrested, Trump replied, "I would, if I were Tom." "You know, I like Gavin Newsom, he's a nice guy," Trump continued. "But he's totally incompetent."
First Part of Trump's Statement
The first part of this statement was posted by Newsom on X. "This is a day I had hoped I would never see in America," he wrote alongside it. The call to arrest an incumbent governor is "an unmistakable step towards authoritarianism."
"Great TV"
What Trump is aiming for with the power struggle remains unclear, other than to provide "great TV" – that's how he described the controversy with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office. The power struggle with Newsom may also please him. Trump said he believes "Gavin probably enjoys me getting involved in his own way."
A Bird's-Eye View
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While the California governor has been frequently mentioned as a presidential candidate, the most populous state is virtually an impregnable Democratic stronghold. Newsom won the last gubernatorial election in 2022 with nearly 60 percent of the vote. A Republican hasn't won a majority in presidential elections there in over 30 years. Trump received only around 38 percent of the vote in California in last year's election.
Even Bad Publicity is Publicity
Although Newsom had previously ruled out a candidacy for the 2024 presidential elections, he was frequently mentioned as a potential replacement for then-US President Joe Biden last year. However, a poll gave him even worse chances than Vice President Kamala Harris: According to this, Newsom could expect only 36 percent of the votes against Trump, while Trump would get 46 percent.
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A political action committee (PAC) to support a potential national campaign has been established by Newsom. The declared goal of this PAC is to combat authoritarian tendencies in the US, as Newsom explained in a video two years ago when he introduced the "Campaign for Democracy." Trump briefly appeared in that video as one of several politicians Newsom portrayed as a threat to democracy.
Newsom hasn't sought the fight with Trump, but it may still benefit him. Every insult brings Newsom headlines, recognition, and a boost to his profile. Currently, he's much more present in national US media than usual – and this is as part of a power struggle against Trump, rather than as California's governor overseeing a state in turmoil.
On X, Newsom is careful to fan the flames in his favor. He regularly responds, commented on statements from the Trump camp. To the accusation by Trump advisor Stephen Miller that California is seeing a "riotous mob," he responded by contrasting the storming of the Capitol in 2021. "Or should we act like you didn't commute sentences for rioters?"
Source: ntv.de
- Donald Trump
- California
- Migration
Enrichment Data:
Key Insights:
- President Trump ordered the deployment of National Guard troops and Marines in California without the state's governor's consent, creating a contentious power struggle between the two.
- This move by Trump is historically rare, as no US president has federalized the National Guard against a governor's wishes in over 70 years.
- The conflict between Trump and Newsom is linked to broader debates about federalism, states' rights, and immigration issues in the US.
Legal and Historical Context:
- The use of the National Guard is governed by federal and state laws, with the governor holding significant authority over their state's National Guard units and requiring consent for federalization.
- Federalization of the National Guard without a governor's consent is rare and contentious, and has been used just a few times in US history.
Broader Political Impact:
- The power struggle between Governor Newsom and President Trump reflects a wider political divide in the US on issues such as immigration, federalism, and states' rights.
- Both leaders have been affected by the conflict, with Trump gaining headlines and a political advantage while Newsom benefits from increased visibility and a boost to his national profile.
Communication and Response:
- The leaders often use public statements, lawsuits, and responses to accusations to fuel the conflict and shape public opinion. In some cases, they present their own interpretations of past events or actions, such as the storming of the Capitol and the pardoning of rioters.
The ongoing power struggle between US President Donald Trump and California Governor Gavin Newsom has raised questions about employment policy, community policy, and politics, particularly regarding states' rights and federalism. Newsom has accused Trump of endangering lives by deploying the National Guard without his consent, while Trump has publicly suggested having Newsom arrested. This unconventional battle for power has increased Newsom's visibility in national media, potentially strengthening his political profile. Despite the legal complexities and historical precedent against federally deploying the National Guard without a governor's consent, Trump's actions have escalated a general-news worthy matter, shaping both leaders' reputations in the process.
