California Governor Gavin Newsom voiced strong criticism and disbelief on Tuesday toward eight senators who broke with Democratic leadership to end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. Speaking exclusively with The Associated Press at the COP30 U.N. Climate Summit in Belem, Brazil, Newsom expressed deep concern about what he perceives as insufficient alarm regarding former President Donald Trump's disruption of political norms.
"Stunned" by Political Capitulation
Newsom did not mince words when discussing the group of seven Democrats and one independent senator who joined Republicans in passing legislation to reopen the federal government late Monday. "I'm not coming in to punch anybody in the face, but I'm not pleased that, in the face of this invasive species that is Donald Trump, who's completely changed the rules of the game, that we're still playing by the old rules of the game," Newsom stated during the interview.
The governor emphasized his core reaction to the political development, stating plainly, "And in my core, I'm stunned." His comments reflect growing tensions within the Democratic party about how to respond to Trump's continued influence on American politics.
Social Media Outcry Preceded Comments
Newsom's criticism began even before his formal interview, with his press office taking to social media platform X as news of the potential compromise emerged ahead of a procedural Sunday night vote. The official account posted, "Pathetic. This isn't a deal. It's a surrender. Don't bend the knee!"
Following the same eight senators—including independent Senator Angus King of Maine, who caucuses with Democrats—joining Republicans in the procedural vote, Newsom escalated his rhetoric, calling their conciliation "capitulation and a betrayal of working Americans."
Defending Senators' Perspective
The group of defectors included several senators who are retiring next year, along with a number of former governors. Since their decision, several have publicly acknowledged they viewed the deal as imperfect but necessary to end the shutdown, which has caused significant hardship across the country.
The shutdown resulted in millions of Americans experiencing:
- Missed paychecks for federal workers
- Stoppages in federal food assistance programs
- Widespread travel disruptions and headaches
When questioned about his own efforts to counter Trump's influence—including maintaining a prominent social media presence and last week's successful passage of U.S. House maps for California aimed at countering Trump-backed Republican efforts in other states—Newsom reiterated his commitment to taking stronger action than others in his party.
"I'm really more alarmed than it appears the eight members of my party are in the United States Senate," Newsom told AP. "I'm much more alarmed about the future of our country and the world we're trying to build than they are."
Climate Summit Context
The interview occurred against the backdrop of the COP30 U.N. Climate Conference in Brazil, where Newsom is representing California—the world's fourth-largest economy. Notably, the Trump administration did not send an official delegation to the climate summit this week.
Newsom is expected to meet with officials from some of the 195 global governments in attendance, positioning California as a continued leader in climate action despite federal absence from the international gathering.
The government shutdown deal that prompted Newsom's criticism included searing condemnation from other Democrats, who expressed frustration that moderates had caved to Republican demands without achieving lasting progress toward extending health care subsidies set to expire on January 1.
