Governor of California Gavin Newsom (D) on Sunday urged Americans to “wake up” ahead of Tuesday’s special elections in several states, arguing that the president Donald Trump has left the country “poorer and sicker” and has warned that federal “strike team” plans for cities should boost democratic turnout.
Newsom’s confident tone and “wake-up” call
Speaking on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Newsom expressed confidence about the contests in Virginia and New Jersey and pressured voters to participate. “What the hell do we have to tell people to get them off their couch…I didn’t sign up for this?” he said ahead of Tuesday, when California voters will decide the fate of Proposition 50 in a statewide special election.
Newsom amplified the message on X, writing, “Donald Trump is historically unpopular for a reason. He betrayed the American people. Beef prices have risen. The coffee has risen. Car prices have risen. Utility bills have increased. And healthcare is about to triple. He has done nothing but make Americans poorer and sicker.”
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Newsom criticizes Trump’s National Guard deployment strategy
His comments came amid revelations that the Pentagon is directing states to train National Guard rapid response troops for civil disturbances in early 2026, an initiative Newsom has criticized as part of Trump’s domestic deployment strategy. “Assault teams,” he argued, would be politically counterproductive. Reuters has reviewed federal documents showing that surveillance units will be ready for crowd control next year.
Newsom also reiterated his distrust of the Justice Department under Trump in handling related legal battles, saying he has more faith in the courts. He has joined Oregon in lawsuits seeking to limit the deployment of the federalized National Guard and warned that California would immediately sue if troops are sent to San Francisco.
Democrats Push for Passage of ‘Prop 50’
Separately, Newsom said he has “deep confidence” that Californians will pass Proposition 50, a measure that would allow the party’s Congress to conduct remapping until 2030 before the authority returns to the independent commission. The campaign has drawn national attention as Democrats argue it will counter Republican redistricting elsewhere. According to a separate Reuters report on Sunday, former vice president Kamala Harris supported the effort this weekend at a rally in Los Angeles, pushing for a “yes” vote on Prop. 50, as Californians prepare to cast their votes.
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