Gov. Gavin Newsom was spotted hanging out at a Cal Fire press conference at Sacramento McClellan Airport in McClellan Park on April 24, 2025. The photo was snapped by Louis Bryant III for CalMatters, capturing the governor in action.
After the devastating January wildfires in Los Angeles County, Newsom didn’t waste any time. He jetted off to both L.A. and Washington, D.C. to have a chat with President Donald Trump and some members of Congress, all in the hopes of snagging some federal aid. Fast forward three months, and it looks like Congress is dragging its feet on Newsom’s $40 billion request, according to CalMatters’ Alexei Koseff. And to add insult to injury, Democratic voters are getting antsy over Trump’s other policies, which is putting even more pressure on Newsom to push back. Tough spot to be in, huh?
When Newsom finally came face-to-face with Trump during their meetings, things were definitely tense. Trump had been throwing around threats left and right about withholding federal disaster aid, while the state Legislature had to convene a special session, all thanks to Newsom, to set aside funds for potential legal battles against Trump’s administration. Stressful much?
Post-meetings, Trump made some vague promises about a “L.A. fire fix,” and Newsom, who had previously positioned himself as a vocal leader against Trump, went quiet for a bit. Instead of hitting the press circuit, he decided to chat it up with some conservative firebrands on his new podcast. Interesting choice, Governor.
But as time passed, things started to go south. The Trump administration began making moves like proposing tariffs that could hurt California’s economy, slashing federal agency budgets, and straight-up ignoring court orders on mass deportations. Newsom wasn’t having it. Lawsuits were filed, and he started speaking out publicly against these federal policies. Can’t say the man doesn’t stand his ground.
According to Bob Salladay, Newsom’s senior communications adviser, there was a noticeable shift in tone from the governor. Apparently, D.C. was cooking up policies that were more than a little concerning. And that aid money Newsom was hoping for? Well, he’s keeping his fingers crossed that Congress will finally come through by this summer. A bipartisan group of California’s congressional delegation is doing their best to advocate for that relief package.
In the meantime, Newsom is playing the long game. While he’s still working on his relationship with Trump behind the scenes, he’s also making it clear that he won’t compromise on California’s core values. The man is all about making a difference, not just talking the talk. Good for him.
And hey, if you want to dive into some more juicy stories, there’s one about Covered California sharing personal data with LinkedIn. Like, seriously? Who thought that was a good idea? And there’s this whole debate about whether freight trains in California should be shorter. Some say it’s safer, others think it’ll jack up prices. How will this play out? Only time will tell.
Oh, and mark your calendars for a screening of Operation: Return to Sender in San Francisco. It’s all about a Border Patrol raid in Bakersfield, and the scoop on immigration enforcement. Sounds like a must-watch.
As for other news, California is looking into allowing testing of driverless heavy-duty trucks. Wild, right? And there’s some drama with the FBI arresting a judge in an immigration squabble. California officials are not happy about it. Plus, NOAA cuts could spell trouble for the state. And let’s not forget the ongoing tussle between Trump and California schools over racial disparities in discipline. A lot going on, folks.
So, there you have it. Newsom and Trump playing a political chess game, California facing data breaches, and debates over freight train lengths. It’s a wild ride out there in the Golden State. Stay tuned for more drama and action-packed news.
