Overview: Governor Gavin Newsom defended his record during President Trump's visit, citing recent crime declines and anti-fraud efforts. Critics counter that crime rose in his early years, that the state faced large fraud losses and growing costs, and that many infrastructure promises remain unfulfilled. They point to higher overall taxes, high gasoline prices, rising homelessness and unmet projects like high-speed rail as signs California is worse off despite higher spending.
Newsom Can't Blame Trump: Critics Point to Fraud, High Taxes and Unfinished Projects
An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Governor Gavin Newsom speaks at a press conference in Oakland, California, Image 2 shows President Donald Trump speaking at a meeting in the Oval Office
Governor Gavin Newsom responded to President Donald Trump's visit to California with a social media post defending his record. He highlighted a recent drop in crime and said the state has been "rooting out fraud and holding bad actors accountable for years."
What Critics Say
Critics dispute those claims, arguing that many of California's problems predate the latest crime decline and are the result of state policy choices and management. The article contends that crime rose during Newsom's early years in office — a period critics link to law-enforcement reforms influenced by the national Black Lives Matter movement — before falling more recently.
Governor Gavin Newsom speaks during a press conference. Anadolu via Getty Images
Crime and Federal Policy
The piece notes that crime has fallen in many parts of the country and attributes some of that trend to federal measures such as tougher border policies implemented during the Trump administration. It says Newsom has opposed those policies and suggests federal action played a role in nationwide declines.
Fraud and Accountability
On fraud, the article argues California has struggled with large-scale cases while Newsom has governed, citing reports of billions stolen from the state unemployment system during the pandemic. It also says Attorney General Rob Bonta intensified enforcement of hospice fraud only after federal authorities increased pressure, and that federal prosecutions have sometimes led the way.
President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting about military families in the Oval Office of the White House. AP Photo/Alex Brandon
Taxes and Cost of Living
Newsom's claim that working families pay higher taxes in Texas and Florida than in California is singled out for criticism. The article notes that Texas and Florida do not levy a state income tax and rely more on sales and local taxes, which can disproportionately affect lower-income residents. By contrast, California's overall tax burden is frequently ranked among the highest in the nation by tax analysts — a factor critics say contributes to outmigration.
Energy, Gas Prices and the Economy
The piece disputes Newsom's attribution of high gas prices primarily to international events, saying California's retail gasoline prices remain among the highest in the country and linking that in part to state policies that restrict fossil-fuel production. It also acknowledges that California's economy is large — about the size of a top global economy — while pointing out weaker rankings on some labor-market measures such as unemployment.
Spending, Infrastructure and Public Services
Critics highlight that state spending has risen significantly — the article cites an inflation-adjusted increase of roughly 40% since Newsom took office — yet major projects and problems remain. Examples include the unfinished high-speed rail project, limited new reservoir capacity, continued brush-clearance challenges, growing homelessness, aging roads, and struggling schools.
The article concludes that these persistent issues help explain Newsom's weak standing in some California polls and argues that blaming former President Trump does not address the state's management and policy shortcomings.
Note: This article presents the views and arguments of its author and cited critics. Some claims reflect interpretations of policy effects and reported data; readers should consult primary sources for detailed statistics.
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