Newsom Critiques Senators Over Shutdown Deal During COP30

Wed Nov 12 2025 02:34:09 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

California Governor Gavin Newsom expresses shock at eight senators' support for a compromise that ended a government shutdown, emphasizing concerns over Donald Trump's political influence.

During an interview at COP30 in Brazil, California Governor Gavin Newsom voiced his alarm regarding a recent government shutdown deal struck by eight senators. He criticized their unwillingness to confront Trump’s political strategies and condemned the decision, labeling it a capitulation that undermines the interests of working Americans. Newsom urged for more robust responses to safeguard democratic values against Trump's norms.

BELEM, Brazil — California Governor Gavin Newsom expressed his astonishment Tuesday over the decision of eight senators to defy their party and find a solution that brought an end to the government shutdown. He warned that the senators are not sufficiently alarmed by the changes in political norms introduced by Donald Trump.

“I’m not here to punch anyone, but it's shocking to me that we’re still adhering to old rules while facing an invasive species like Trump,” Newsom told the Associated Press in an interview during the COP30 UN Climate Conference in Brazil. “At my core, I’m stunned by their lack of response.”

Responding to the actions of the senators, consisting of seven Democrats and one Independent, who sided with Republicans to pass legislation to reopen the government, Newsom characterized their actions as capitulation. He stated that this decision undermined the progress towards extending expiring health care subsidies, a critical issue facing many constituents.

Newsom’s press office conveyed his outrage via social media, labeling the deal as pathetic and expressed disappointment in the lack of spine shown by the negotiating senators. “This isn’t a deal; it’s a surrender,” he asserted, pointing to the broader implications such compromises have on working-class Americans.

The senators, many of whom are retiring and nervous about their political futures, acknowledged that while they viewed the deal as imperfect, they felt it was necessary to end a shutdown that had disrupted paychecks and federal assistance nationwide.

Newsom elaborated on his own strategies to counter Trump's influence, indicating that his commitment to political vigilance surpasses that of the eight senators. I am alarmed about the future of our country and the world we're trying to shape more than they seem to be, he remarked.

As he engages with officials from various global delegations at COP30, Newsom emphasized the detrimental impact of the Trump administration's actions, which notably did not send an official delegation to the summit. This highlights a continued rift within U.S. politics regarding international cooperation, especially on pressing global issues like climate change.