Governor Gavin Newsom is trying once again to play crimefighter, but his latest announcement shows how much Trump sets the agenda. After claiming crime in California’s blue cities was down by double digits, Newsom was pressed to explain why he needed to surge California Highway Patrol officers. He gave no coherent answer.
Now, with Trump’s decisive action in Washington, D.C. delivering results—including dismantling homeless encampments—Newsom is rushing to follow suit. On Friday, he announced a new state task force to clear encampments in California’s largest cities, citing public safety.
“California has put in place a strong, comprehensive strategy for fighting the national homelessness and housing crises — and is outperforming the nation as a result in turning this issue around,” Newsom insisted. He added, “No one should live in a dangerous or unsanitary encampment, and we will continue our ongoing work to ensure that everyone has a safe place to call home.”
But the Trump White House quickly called him out, accusing him of simply copying the president’s actions. The comparison is impossible to ignore. Trump delivered immediate results in the capital, and now Newsom is scrambling to imitate the same playbook.
This isn’t the first time Newsom has taken action only under national pressure. When San Francisco was cleaned up ahead of the 2023 APEC conference, he admitted the obvious: “I know folks are saying, ‘Oh, they’re just cleaning up this place because all those fancy leaders are coming to town.’ That’s true because it’s true.”
Newsom’s history tells the story. He has been in California politics since 1996, and as mayor of San Francisco in 2003, he promised a 10-year plan to end homelessness. Two decades later, the problem is worse than ever. Encampments still litter the streets, public safety is collapsing, and his pledges have proven empty.
Even in May, Newsom tried to sound tough, declaring, “As a taxpayer, not just Governor. I’m not interested in funding failure anymore. I’m not. I won’t. Time to do your job. People are dying on their watch, dying on their watch.” Yet it’s his watch that has seen homelessness spiral out of control.
The pattern is clear. Newsom denies problems when Trump highlights them, then changes course and pretends he was leading all along. His “new” announcement on homelessness is just the latest example of a governor who reacts rather than leads.
Voters should take him at his own word. If politicians keep making promises about eradicating homelessness and never deliver, they do not deserve reelection—much less a promotion to the White House.
President Trump has proven he is not afraid to confront crime and homelessness head-on. Newsom, by contrast, has shown only failure, excuses, and copycat tactics. America doesn’t need a follower in 2028. It needs a leader who will restore order and dignity to our streets.