Donald Trump tears into Gavin Newsom, who expects Trump to be ‘sharper’ in second term

President-elect Donald Trump, responding to news that Gov. Gavin Newsom called the California Legislature into special session next month to prepare for second Trump term, unleashed a tirade insulting the governor and blaming him for the state’s problems.

“Governor Gavin Newscum is trying to KILL our Nation’s beautiful California,” Trump posted on his social media platform Truth Social Friday morning.

“He is using the term ‘Trump-Proof’ as a way of stopping all of the GREAT things that can be done to ‘Make California Great Again,’ but I just overwhelmingly won the Election. ”

Newsom called the special session Thursday with support from top legislative leaders to boost resources to the California Department of Justice, which is seen as the blue state’s best offense against the incoming Republican administration. Former state Attorney General Xavier Becerra filed more than 120 lawsuits against the Trump administration during his tenure. Becerra, now U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, was the state’s top legal officer from 2017 to 2021.

Newsom has said he “will seek to work with the incoming president” but would hold the line to “defend our Constitution and uphold the rule of law.”

Trump said “people are being forced to leave” California because of Newsom and other Democrats’ “INSANE POLICY DECISIONS” on water, a planned phase-out of gas-powered vehicles and homelessness. Trump criticized the same policies during a political rally in Coachella last month.

The incoming Republican president said he will be “DEMANDING” the state implement rules including voter ID and proof of citizenship in elections.

Newsom responds in call with supporters

In a Friday evening call with supporters, Newsom likened the post by Trump to “a tired old playbook of grievances” with “no solutions.”

But he said he expects the incoming president to be “a little sharper on the follow through” over the next four years.

“Trump 2.0 I think is going to be, from his perspective, aiming to be more effective,” Newsom said. “I think he’s going to come harder. He’s going to come faster. executive orders day one.”

The governor, who will leave office at the end of 2026, said he expects Trump to pursue a campaign promise of mass deportations of undocumented immigrants.

Newsom warned such a move would have a “chilling effect” on California’s economy but teased that he is working on a swift response, potentially in collaboration with other states.

“Trust me, we got a lot up our sleeve,” he said. “It’s not just about a special session, and the spirit of partnerships, but the spirit of preparedness.”

The call was organized by his political action committee, Campaign for Democracy, and attended by more than 35,000 people, according to organizers.

The governor has spent the past two years building up his political operation by fundraising for Democratic candidates across the country. With Harris’ defeat, his prospects for seeking the presidency in 2028 are open.

On the campaign trail for President Joe Biden and then Vice President Kamala Harris this year, Newsom said he had to “kiss the ring” during Trump’s first presidency to get aid for wildfires and COVID-19. Trump has repeatedly threatened to withhold aid for natural disasters to California over political differences with the governor.

Trump has never been popular in blue California. While more than 5 million ballots remain to be counted, Trump trails Vice President Kamala Harris in the state’s presidential vote 40%-57%.

This story was originally published November 8, 2024 at 2:40 PM.