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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
World
Lauren Gambino in Los Angeles

‘No-holds-barred fight’: California’s governor takes off his gloves to punch back at Trump

A man poses in front of two US flags.
Gavin Newsom at a bill-signing event related to redrawing the state’s congressional maps, on 21 August 2025 in Sacramento, California. Photograph: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

In the opening weeks of Donald Trump’s second term, Gavin Newsom wagered that peacemaking was best: a tarmac greeting for Air Force One, an Oval Office visit and a podcast slot for Maga’s biggest names. But then Trump came for California, and its governor dropped the niceties.

With a flood of all-caps social media posts, a counterpunching redistricting proposal and a string of lawsuits challenging the new administration, Newsom is not just taking on Trump, he’s stealing his tactics: fight, fight, fight.

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