Why mayors top California Gov. Gavin Newsom in the fight against Trump | Opinion
California and the rest of America have seemingly dubbed Gov. Gavin Newsom the leader of the rebellion against President Donald Trump. He is the presumptive front-runner for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination in what many see as one of the most consequential elections of our lifetimes.
But Newsom’s quirky social media posts and Trump-like confidence will only go so far. His recent meme-laden videos and bold statements have generated headlines, but voters seeking authenticity and genuine connection could find Newsom’s act hollow.
His style often feels performative, rather than a reflection of lived experience. Newsom fighting Trump fire with fire might be temporarily satisfying, but it risks alienating those who want a leader who understands hardship, not just headlines. For the real fight against Trump, the one being fought on the streets as opposed to social media, American mayors are standing out.
Mayors can speak to the moment
Trump has launched a full-on assault on our nation’s cities that harbor what he views as liberal ideologies. This attack has led to many acts of misconduct, with the killing of 35-year-old mother Renee Good being the latest of abhorrent actions.
Smartphone screens everywhere showed Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey give a blatant and heartfelt response to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents who came into his city and killed Good: Get the fuck out of Minneapolis.
Mayors like Frey and Brandon Johnson in Chicago have become the faces of resilience amid Trump’s presidency. Unlike national figures, these leaders are accountable daily to citizens directly affected by federal policies. When ICE raids or civil unrest shake their streets, they are the ones fielding calls, attending vigils and shouldering the grief of their constituents.
For them, the culture war isn’t a talking point — it’s a crisis lived out in real time. Trump’s strategy may energize his base, but it devastates the fabric of urban communities. Mayors are left to pick up the pieces, balancing crisis management with the emotional labor of giving hope to neighborhoods under siege.
There is a profound pain being felt by communities across the country, pain that Newsom observes from a distance.
Frey, Johnson and other mayors have lived it alongside their constituents. Their leadership is not just performative — it is rooted in presence and shared struggle.
When the race for president goes into full swing, the rest of the country will see Newsom’s campaign for what it is: an age-old political tactic to seem like a champion while not overcommitting to one cause or group.
The last mayor to become president was Calvin Coolidge in 1923, and the only mayor with a real shot recently was Pete Buttigieg back in 2020.
Crazier things have happened in American politics, and if a mayor is our best shot at moving away from the political toxicity we’re in, so be it.
We need a leader who can restore a moral compass to the most important position in our country — someone who leads not only with policy but with empathy and conviction, and who can begin to restore the nation’s faith in the presidency.
This story was originally published January 22, 2026 at 5:00 AM.
