Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who has grow to be considered one of President Trump’s most high-profile adversaries, informed “CBS Information Sunday Morning” in an unique interview that he’ll contemplate whether or not to run for president after the 2026 midterm elections.
In an interview taped Thursday in San Jose, Newsom was requested whether or not he would give “severe thought” to a White Home bid as soon as subsequent 12 months’s midterm elections are over.
“Yeah, I would be mendacity in any other case,” Newsom replied. “I would just be mendacity. And I am not — I can not do this.”
Newsom, whose time period ends in January 2027 and is prevented from working once more resulting from time period limits, cautioned that any determination is years away.
“Destiny will decide that,” he mentioned, when requested about whether or not he’s shifting nearer to figuring out a cause for a nationwide candidacy.
Newsom, 58, has made journeys to key battleground states, together with a go to this previous July to South Carolina, which as of now is slated to host the primary Democratic main within the 2028 presidential election, though that would change.
Throughout that journey, which featured a number of stops and was lined by “CBS Information Sunday Morning,” Newsom met with state Democratic leaders and stopped by a espresso store to rally activists and assist workers serve espresso drinks.
“I occur to, and thank God, I am in the best enterprise,” Newsom mentioned within the interview, when requested about his evident enjoyment in assembly Democrats in South Carolina. “I really like individuals. I truly love individuals.”
Newsom mentioned speak of him probably working for president, after dealing with challenges all through his life, together with dyslexia, is a reminder to him that lives can go in shocking instructions.
“I don’t know,” Newsom mentioned of whether or not he’ll determine to run. “The concept that a man who obtained 960 on his SAT, that also struggles to learn scripts, that was at all times at the back of the classroom, the concept you’d even throw that out is, in and of itself, extraordinary. Who the hell is aware of? I am trying ahead to who presents themselves in 2028 and who meets that second. And that is the query for the American individuals.”
Newsom mentioned his focus now’s on passing Proposition 50, a California poll measure he has championed that will permit state Democrats to quickly change the boundaries of U.S. Home districts and make them extra favorable to the occasion. Newsom has forged his effort, which shall be determined in a particular election subsequent week, as a response to Mr. Trump’s push for Republican-controlled states, like Texas, to vary their congressional maps so the GOP has a greater likelihood at holding on to its slim Home majority subsequent 12 months.
“I feel it is about our democracy. It is about the way forward for this republic. I feel it is about, you already know, what the Founding Fathers lived and died for, this notion of the rule of regulation, and never the rule of Don,” Newsom mentioned.
Tensions have run excessive forward of the vote, with each events seeing redistricting efforts as essential to reaching their objective of profitable the U.S. Home majority subsequent 12 months. Whichever occasion holds management of the Home has subpoena and oversight powers over the Govt Department.
“We have got a whole lot and a whole lot, ICE and Border Patrol,” Newsom informed Proposition 50 supporters on Thursday at a labor occasion, referring to federal brokers within the state. Newsom predicted their presence would possibly enhance forward of the Nov. 4 particular election.
“Do not suppose for a second we’re not going to be seeing extra of that by way of Election Day,” Newsom mentioned. “These guys aren’t screwing round.”
In current days, the Justice Division mentioned it will ship its personal screens to oversee the particular election in California and the gubernatorial election in New Jersey. Newsom has denounced the transfer, calling it a Trump administration transfer to intimidate Democrats. The objective, in accordance with the Justice Division, is “to make sure transparency, poll safety, and compliance with federal regulation.”
Whereas Newsom has lengthy been a fixture in California, his foray into presidential politics generated intense curiosity final 12 months when he was a fierce defender of President Joe Biden, particularly within the wake of Biden’s debate efficiency in opposition to Mr. Trump, which prompted many Democrats to name for Biden to exit the 2024 race.
Newsom, nonetheless, by no means wavered on Biden’s candidacy. Within the days earlier than Biden dropped out of the race, Newsom stumped for him nationwide, together with in New Hampshire.
Talking with “CBS Information Sunday Morning” there in July 2024, a couple of week earlier than Biden left the race, Newsom mentioned he was “all in” on Biden.
“No daylight,” Newsom mentioned of his alliance with Biden on the time.
In accordance with sources near each Newsom and Biden, the 2 males are shut and have stayed in contact since Biden left the White Home. Newsom can be pleasant with former President Barack Obama, who has supplied help for Proposition 50 and joined Newsom and volunteers on a video name final week.
