California Gov. Gavin Newsom used his State of the State—again via letter and a slick social clip instead of a live, accountable speech—to rail against President Donald Trump and a White House he claims is “built on incompetence and malicious ignorance.” His charge: the administration has a “relentless, unhinged California obsession.” Translation: Washington finally stopped letting Sacramento call the shots, and Newsom can’t stand it.
The governor framed himself as the defender of “independent thinking” and California “values,” pointing to recent federal moves that have put the brakes on his pet projects and ideological experiments. He complained about immigration enforcement that has targeted sanctuary jurisdictions after a wave of arrests and protests, and he griped that the administration deployed the National Guard and Marines to stabilize Los Angeles when demonstrations turned volatile and immigration enforcement needed support. He’s also furious that the feds pulled funding from his perpetually delayed, wildly over-budget high-speed rail boondoggle, rolled back his scheme to ban new gas-powered cars, and challenged the state over its transgender sports law allowing biological males to compete in girls’ divisions.
While he accuses Trump of fixating on California, Newsom bragged about waging lawfare against the administration—California has filed 41 lawsuits and even carved out $50 million in state funds to keep his progressive agenda on life support in court. He also vowed to fight the federal move to suspend UCLA funding tied to antisemitism concerns and affirmative action controversies. In other words, when Washington says “no,” Newsom writes another check and sues again.
What’s missing from his victory lap is the reality on the ground. Californians are drowning under a brutal cost of living, a homelessness disaster that’s spread from sidewalks to schoolyards, and a steady drumbeat of crime that sent families fleeing to saner states. State Republicans were blunt: Newsom is polishing a national profile for 2028 while ignoring a yawning budget mess and the everyday misery his policies created. Assembly GOP Leader James Gallagher put it plainly—show up and do the job you were elected to do.
The governor’s choreography was telling. He once again ditched the tradition of a live State of the State, where lawmakers and the public can respond in real time. Instead, he fired off a letter and a curated video, taking swings at Trump and claiming California is “not cowering” in the face of a federal “onslaught.” That’s not leadership; that’s spin from a man who built a brand on mandates, mask theater, and selective enforcement—and now wants to rewrite the record.
Meanwhile, Trump’s team is actually moving policy. The administration has backed ICE operations against criminal illegal aliens that sanctuary politicians refuse to hold, sent federal support to restore order where local leaders failed, and rolled back state overreach that tried to nationalize California’s green fantasies by fiat. Polls show voters want safer streets and sanity on immigration. Newsom’s answer is more litigation and a never-ending grievance tour.
California used to be the place the rest of America wanted to copy. Under Newsom, it’s the cautionary tale. If the governor wants to end the “obsession,” there’s a simple fix: clean up the homelessness, cut the taxes, enforce the law, and stop treating Sacramento like a substitute for Congress. Until then, expect Washington—and the rest of the country—to keep a very close eye on the mess he made.
