California Governor Gavin Newsom issued a warning to President-elect Donald Trump following the Republican’s victory in the 2024 presidential election. Newsom vowed to defend the Constitution and uphold the rule of law in the face of what Democrats viewed as potential threats to American democracy under another Trump term. Trump secured at least 295 Electoral College votes, surpassing the 270 required for victory, and is also ahead in Arizona and Nevada. Despite Harris’ loss to Trump, Newsom praised her efforts to fight for fundamental freedoms and build a country that works for everyone.
Democrats heavily criticized the Republican nominee during the campaign, with Harris calling him “unhinged and unstable” and warning about his pursuit of unchecked power. Newsom, who did not run against Biden in the primaries, has been speculated as a potential future White House contender for the Democratic Party. In his message to Trump, Newsom expressed willingness to work with the incoming president but made it clear that California will stand with states across the nation to defend the Constitution and uphold the rule of law. He emphasized the importance of federalism in American democracy, stating that it is the United STATES of America.
The warning from Newsom to Trump comes after years of Republican governors challenging the Biden administration on various issues, including migration and transgender rights. Texas Governor Greg Abbott, in particular, clashed with the Biden administration over immigration policies, vowing to put more razor wire along the Texas-Mexico border to deter illegal immigration. Abbott cited Article IV, Section 4 of the Constitution as the basis for his actions, claiming the right of self-defense reserved to the state supersedes federal statutes. A group of 25 Republican governors supported Abbott’s stance on the issue.
Trump is currently facing criminal charges at both the federal level and in Georgia for allegedly breaking the law in his attempt to overturn the 2020 presidential election results. Despite these legal challenges, constitutional law experts believe that the cases may be stalled or dismissed following his victory in the 2024 election. Newsweek reached out to both Trump’s campaign and Governor Newsom for comments on the issue, seeking their perspectives on the current political landscape and potential future implications. The coming months will likely see continued legal battles and political tensions as the transition of power takes place.
