Gavin Newsom must think that the road to the Democratic nomination for president goes through Munich.
Newsom attended the Munich Security Conference (MSC) this weekend, hosting an annual gathering of heads of state, foreign ministers, military leaders and experts.
Often, discussions revolve around global security issues, including transatlantic relations, defense, climate risks, economics, and conflicts like Ukraine.
Why is there Newsom, when his country is falling?
His latest trip is rightly drawing criticism as political preparation – with a 2028 presidential campaign in mind.
Newsom appeared on a panel, “Spotlight on Transatlantic Cooperation from the Bottom-Up,” which emphasized how state-level players like California can build international bridges and contribute to global stability within national relationships.
But transatlantic cooperation is falling apart with Newsom as governor.
Broad foreign policy, international security agreements (such as the transatlantic relationship that includes NATO), and global security challenges are the sole responsibility of the organization.
Newsom does not have the authority to influence or represent his country – or his country – at that level.
He also addressed the climate action panel, “Playing with Fire: The Need for Decisive Climate Action,” emphasizing the effects of climate change, the clean energy revolution, and California’s leadership in combating the “emergency.”
He emphasized the state’s responsibilities despite changes in federal policy under President Trump.
Newsom in November attended the COP30 Climate Conference of the UN in Brazil, where he criticized the policies of the United States and Trump as a “wrecking ball” on the progress of the climate, and instead encouraged the aggressive measures of the state of California.
Newsom continues to emphasize that California remains a “stable and reliable partner” to international leaders on issues such as trade, jobs, climate action, and multilateralism, in contrast to perceived isolationism or disruptive US policies.
But Newsom’s real agenda may have been to avoid being considered by other Democratic presidential hopefuls in Munich, including Gov. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan and New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
All urged Europe to stand firm against Trump – breaking the old protocol that “politics ends at the water’s edge.”
For example, Newsom told the audience that “Donald Trump is temporary” and “will be gone in three years.” That’s a weird way to “protect democracy,” but it’s the next election he has in mind, not the last.
Meanwhile, there are real problems in California. The state is facing alarming projections of a deficit of about 18 billion dollars in the year 2026-27, and up to $ 35 billion in future years.
Then there are California’s high poverty rates, with 7 million residents below the poverty line, and the nation’s highest child poverty rate.
The state also has a high homeless population and a rising cost of living.
Newsom’s California still struggles with theft, property crime, and shoplifting, all linked to his refusal to fund law and order reforms under voter-approved Proposition 36.
There are also high electricity prices and record high gas prices.
Many oil refineries closed shop and fled the state. California should enter the oil.
Vulnerabilities in the federal Medi-Cal program have led to billions in fraud and questionable payments.
Residents in wildfire-ravaged areas of Los Angeles are frustrated by the slow pace of rebuilding after the devastating fires.
There is more.
Under Newsom, audits revealed continued inefficiencies, without major changes to address the billions in losses.
High withholding taxes drive corporations and wealthy citizens; an estimated $1 trillion to $2 trillion of the wealth of billionaire taxpayers has escaped the 5% tax on their wealth.
Projects like the high-speed rail line are stalled and over budget; water shortages persist despite abundant rains; large numbers of illegal immigrants continue; and the preparations for the Olympics in 2028 seem out of the question.
As Newsom urges heads of state around the world to support Trump, perhaps they should examine his record in California, and ask where he belongs around global security negotiations.
Richie Greenberg is a political analyst based in San Francisco.
