Free Republic

Dana Williamson, who served as California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s chief of staff from January 2023 to December 2024, faces a slew of federal charges for fraud, corruption, and obstruction, but none of those charges implicate her for wrongdoing in her capacity as Newsom’s aide. Instead, the charges allege that she stole and deceived outside of her official duties.That prospect is threatening to rope Newsom’s entire administration into the scandal.However, speculation is growing that Williamson also acted improperly in office — meaning that wrongdoing was taking place in the governor’s office under Newsom’s watch. That prospect is threatening to rope Newsom’s...

The Biden-era sanctuary state policies in California foisted on the state and Americans by Democrat Gov. Gavin Newsom have once again collided with federal law — this time on America's highways. The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has admitted to illegally issuing 17,000 commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) to foreign nationals who were not legally eligible to hold them, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced Tuesday. "After weeks of claiming they did nothing wrong, Gavin Newsom and California have been caught red-handed," Duffy wrote in a statement. "Now that we've exposed their lies, 17,000 illegally issued trucking licenses are being revoked....

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) called Senate Democrats’ deal with Republicans to reopen the government “pathetic,” accusing them of betraying “working Americans” after failing to secure an extension of enhanced Obamacare premium subsidies. Newsom, a potential candidate for the 2028 presidential election, took to social media Sunday night after eight Democrats voted with Republicans in a procedural vote to allow a continuing resolution (CR) funding the government to advance. “Pathetic,” he wrote from his personal X account. His press office also called the Democrats’ capitulation “pathetic”: “This isn’t a deal,” his office added. “It’s a surrender. Don’t bend the knee!”...

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) will hold a rally in Texas on Saturday opposing the state’s redistricting efforts alongside local Democratic lawmakers, days after Golden State voters backed a measure to redraw their own congressional districts. Texas was the first of several red states that followed President Trump’s directive to change their congressional maps ahead of the 2026 midterms. Though some blue states considered redrawing their maps through the legislatures, Newsom elected to have voters choose if California should proceed with his plan. “California stepped up. Now, we are taking this fight across the country — helping Democrats in other...

There’s nothing California Gov. Gavin Newsom hates more than a lying politician. At least, that’s what he, very condescendingly, told an NBC News reporter during a recent interview. Oh that is really RICH! The hypocrisy is just astounding. Watch for yourself: Did you see that head tilt? It’s like he knows he’s lying as he lies about hating liars! By the way, Newsom made that comment just before defending Joe Biden’s cognitive state. Utterly shameless. These people are so brazen with their lies. Here’s a longer clip: 🚨 JUST IN: In a bizarre moment, Gavin Newsom tilts his head like...

Governor Gavin Newsom (D-CA) appeared desperate to evade any and all questions about his support for former President Joe Biden — support that continued even after it became painfully obvious that Biden was declining rapidly.Newsom repeatedly dodged questions on that topic during a Sunday morning appearance on “Meet the Press,” attempting to change the subject every time host Kristen Welker raised another question about the former president.WATCH:“You stood by him till the end, after that disastrous debate performance, even when top Democrats were calling for him to step down,” Welker began. “Did you ever have concerns, Governor, about his capacity...

California Governor Gavin Newsom told CBS News Sunday Morning that he is considering a White House run after the 2026 midterms. When asked if he would give "serious thought" to a run for national office, Newsom said, "Yeah, I'd be lying otherwise," adding, "I'd just be lying. And I'm not — I can't do that." The democrat has been a vocal opponent of President Donald Trump, criticizing many of the administration's policies, including the use of federal forces in American cities

Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who has become one of President Trump's most high-profile adversaries, told "CBS News Sunday Morning" in an exclusive interview that he will consider whether to run for president after the 2026 midterm elections. In an interview taped Thursday in San Jose, Newsom was asked whether he would give "serious thought" to a White House bid once next year's midterm elections are over. "Yeah, I'd be lying otherwise," Newsom replied. "I'd just be lying. And I'm not — I can't do that." Newsom, whose term ends in January 2027 and is prevented from running again due...

California Gov. Gavin Newsom violated federal law by upgrading the driver’s license of the illegal migrant trucker accused of causing a horrific, drug-fueled pile-up that killed three people and wounded several others, a bombshell new report claims. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy blamed Newsom for Tuesday’s deadly crash, alleging state officials unlawfully upgraded Jashanpreet Singh’s commercial license weeks after a new federal rule went into effect barring illegal immigrants from holding such privileges, according to a DOT report released Friday. The restrictions, which require states to verify an applicant’s legal status, took effect on Sept. 26 — while the 21-year-old Indian...

Video

The most recent clash between Gov. Gavin Newsom and the White House centered around whether live ammunition should be allowed to fly over a major California freeway.

Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) is peddling falsehoods in an attempt to mar Vice President JD Vance’s visit to Camp Pendleton on Saturday, including falsely claiming an amphibious capabilities demonstration would result in the closure of the I-5 highway and that America’s troops would not be paid. The event will be followed by a celebration on Del Mar Beach in honor of the Marine Corps’ forthcoming 250th birthday, which is November tenth. Newsom and his press office seized on an anonymously-sourced article from far-left outlet MeidasTouch, which claimed that “the White House will shut down portions of the I-5 for Vice...

Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) signed a bill into law on Friday, launching a process for California to administer reparations for descendants of slaves. The governor gave the final green light to Senate Bill 518, which establishes a new state agency responsible for verifying eligibility, processing claims, and recommending forms of reparations for descendants of slaves. “This law reflects a critical acknowledgment of the historic injustices that have shaped the Black experience in California and across this country,” California Legislative Black Caucus chair Weber Pierson said in a statement celebrating the new law. “For generations, Black Americans have faced exclusion, exploitation,...

Gov. Newsom signed SB 79 on Friday, allowing buildings up to nine stories near transit stops in eight California counties. The law overrides local zoning and takes effect July 2026. Mayor Bass and the City Council opposed it over local control concerns. Multiple exemptions make the bill complex, and cities await an official map to determine which properties are affected by the upzoning. On the campaign trail eight years ago, Gov. Newsom famously promised to support the construction of 3.5 million new homes in California by the end of this year. He’ll likely fall short by millions, but his latest...

Whether by design or by quiet submission to a rapidly-evolving digital landscape, the world’s largest social media companies have allowed their platforms to become factories of division, dehumanization and, increasingly, real-world violence. What began as tools for connection have become engines of rage. It’s no accident. It’s business. At the heart of this transformation lies the engagement algorithm: a seemingly neutral mechanism that curates what billions of people see, like, share and believe. Algorithms are not neutral. They are engineered with a single purpose — to keep us on the platform, clicking, commenting and scrolling. In the race to capture...

While California Gov. Gavin Newsom cosplays being president, promotes his election rigging scheme, and flame-posts on X against President Donald Trump and Republicans, his attorney general Rob Bonta has been busy furthering the state's progressive aims, which include his attempts to torment the Trump administration. Sadly, part of Bonta's marching orders also involves tormenting the law-abiding citizens of the Golden State with frivolous lawsuits. Advertisement El Cajon is one of the few red cities left in San Diego County. As opposed to Chicago's mayor, El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells has no problem cooperating with law enforcement in the state and...

I just signed legislation allowing the 800,000 rideshare workers in California to unionize. California is determined to give working people a voice, to give them choice, give them dignity, and give them a say about their future.

The California FAIR Plan, the state’s home insurer of last resort, is seeking an average 35.8% rate hike, its largest in years, following billions of dollars of losses incurred in the January fire storms.The Los Angeles-based insurance pool, operated and backed by the state’s licensed home insurers, filed this week for the dwelling policy rate hike, which must be reviewed and could be reduced by the state insurance commissioner.“By statute, FAIR Plan rates must be sufficient to pay anticipated claims and expenses,” said FAIR Plan spokesperson Hilary McLean in a statement. “The FAIR Plan is working closely with the California...

Gov. Newsom on Friday further waded into the controversy surrounding President Trump’s higher education compact, which has roiled USC since being extended to the university.Gov. Newsom has threatened to pull state funding from California universities that sign Trump’s compact requiring mostly conservative campus policies. USC received the offer from the White House, and interim President Beong-Soo Kim said it contains issues that “are important to study and discuss.” Newsom challenged USC to reject the offer and protect academic freedom. Gov. Newsom on Friday waded further into the controversy surrounding a higher education compact President Trump has presented to nine universities...

Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday threatened to cut “billions” in state funding, including to USC, from any California campus that signs a Trump administration compact and agrees to sweeping and largely conservative campus policies in exchange for priority access to federal funding. “If any California University signs this radical agreement, they’ll lose billions in state funding — including Cal Grants — instantly,” Newsom said. “California will not bankroll schools that sell out their students, professors, researchers, and surrender academic freedom.” The bold statement came less than a day after the the White House asked the University of Southern California and...