In a recent address, California Governor Gavin Newsom took aim at President Donald Trump, accusing him of undermining democracy and unlawfully militarizing Los Angeles.
The governor's speech, delivered on a Tuesday evening, was filled with criticism of Trump and a defense of his own governance, despite the numerous failures that have plagued his state.
According to RedState, Newsom's address was less about California and more about positioning himself for the 2028 presidential elections. The governor, who has been criticized for his handling of various crises in California, seemed to be making a desperate attempt to salvage his political career.
His demeanor during the speech was described as stressed and haggard, a stark contrast to his usual confident and authoritative presence.
Newsom's speech included a critique of the problems in Los Angeles, but it quickly devolved into a broad tirade against the Republican party. He seemed to be marking his territory for the Democratic nomination process. In a significant departure from his role as governor, Newsom delved into a range of progressive issues, seemingly in an attempt to appeal to his extremist base.
"Authoritarian regimes begin by targeting people who are least able to defend themselves, but they do not stop there. Trump and his loyalists, they thrive on division, because it allows them to take more power and exert even more control. And by the way, Trump, he's not opposed to lawlessness and violence as long as it serves him. What more evidence do we need than January 6th?" Newsom said.
The governor continued his attack on Trump, accusing him of disregarding the law and constitution, firing government watchdogs, declaring war on culture, history, science, and knowledge, and undermining news organizations and the First Amendment. He also criticized Trump's threat to defund universities and his targeting of law firms and judicial brands.
Newsom's focus on Trump and national issues seemed to overshadow the immediate problems in Los Angeles. His speech also included criticism of a parade planned to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army, a move that was likely to rile liberals.
"And we all know this Saturday, he's ordering our American heroes, the United States military, and forcing them to put on a vulgar display to celebrate his birthday, just as other failed dictators have done in the past. Look, this isn't just about protests here in Los Angeles. When Donald Trump sought blanket authority to commandeer the National Guard, he made that order apply to every state in this nation. This is about all of us. This is about you," Newsom said.
Despite his attempts to appeal to liberals and position himself for a presidential run, Newsom's speech was largely seen as a failure. His usually smooth demeanor was replaced by desperation and agitation, and his emotional display was deemed inappropriate for a policy discussion.
The speech seemed to mark the unofficial start of the 2028 campaign season, with Newsom attempting to regain his fading political star. However, his performance fell flat, and his chances of winning the Democratic nomination, let alone a presidential election against a competent Republican candidate, seem slim.
Newsom's political career has been marked by numerous failures and has brought misery to many Californians. His recent speech, rather than salvaging his reputation, may have marked the beginning of the end of his political career. Despite personal well-wishes, many hope this is the case, for the sake of California and its residents.
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