In September 2023, California Governor Gavin Newsom stood at the pinnacle of Democratic political power. His national influence arguably eclipsed even that of President Joe Biden, whose approval ratings were in sharp decline. As speculation swirled about the Democratic Party's future leadership, many saw Newsom as a natural heir to the progressive mantle.
That same month, the death of 90-year-old Senator Dianne Feinstein presented Newsom with a rare opportunity: under California's constitution, the governor held sole authority to appoint a successor to the United States Senate. Political observers braced for a seismic move.
Newsom, a shrewd political operator, made headlines by pledging to appoint a Black woman to fill the vacancy—an apparent nod to the Democratic Party's most loyal voting bloc.
However, he quickly complicated matters by declaring that he would not appoint any candidate already running in the 2024 Senate primary. This effectively sidelined Representative Barbara Lee, a long-time Black congresswoman and progressive icon who had already launched her Senate campaign alongside Reps. Adam Schiff and Katie Porter. Lee's supporters viewed the announcement as a betrayal, and her national profile has dimmed significantly since.
True to his word, Newsom appointed Laphonza Butler, a labor leader and former EMILY's List president who had not declared her candidacy. Although her appointment fulfilled Newsom's promise, Butler was little known outside political circles. Newsom's maneuvering cleared the path for his political ally Adam Schiff, reinforcing the perception of backroom favoritism over genuine representation.
At the time, Vice President Kamala Harris's political future was uncertain, and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi notably declined to endorse Harris for a second term as Biden's running mate during a CNN interview. This vacuum fueled speculation about Newsom's ambitions and potential national role. Some theorized an elaborate political chess move: Newsom could appoint Harris to the Senate, opening up the vice presidency for himself. Under this scenario, Harris could ascend to Senate Majority Leader or, if her second campaign failed, be appointed to the Supreme Court should a vacancy arise. Meanwhile, Newsom would benefit from the power of incumbency heading into the 2024 election.
Newsom's rising profile was further cemented when he began appearing as a Democratic surrogate in spin rooms after Republican debates—an unofficial but potent symbol of national relevance. But politics can change on a dime.
Fast forward to June 2025. The violent events that unfolded in Los Angeles this past weekend have dealt a devastating blow to Newsom's national ambitions. Confronted with a public safety crisis involving immigration enforcement and street violence, Newsom's handling of the situation has raised serious questions about his leadership.
Trouble began when Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), under orders from President Trump, began targeting illegal criminal aliens in Southern California. Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass condemned the actions as unjust and discriminatory, claiming that immigrant communities—many of them long-time residents and workers—were unfairly targeted.
Newsom, attempting to project moral authority, declared he would welcome arrest by Tom Homan, the federal Border Czar, before allowing illegal immigrant communities to be targeted. "He's a tough guy. He knows where to find me. Lay your hands off 4-year-old girls that are trying to get educated. Come arrest me. Let's just get it over with, tough guy."
The statement made headlines, but events quickly spun out of control. Violent clashes erupted as tensions escalated between protestors and law enforcement. Video footage shared by citizen journalists showed rioters attacking police, setting fires, and brandishing foreign flags—imagery that swiftly went viral and painted a picture of a city overwhelmed.
At a press conference Sunday night, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Chief Jim McDonnell delivered a sobering message. While affirming that local officers would not assist ICE in immigration enforcement, he acknowledged that federal agents were operating within their legal authority. More troubling, he admitted that LAPD officers were being overwhelmed by mob tactics and that the situation on the ground was deteriorating rapidly: "The violence is escalating... It's getting increasingly worse and more violent....We had individuals shooting commercial-grade fireworks at our officers. That can kill you."
In stark contrast, Newsom and other California officials continued to push a narrative that placed sole blame on the federal government. They argued that the raids were needlessly provocative. While such a stance may resonate with some progressives, it did little to calm public fear or restore order.
Newsom's legal response—a threat to sue the federal government in the U.S. Supreme Court—was grandstanding at its finest. Federal law, including statutes such as the Insurrection Act and various public safety provisions, clearly empowers the President to deploy the National Guard when local authorities lose control. Any lawsuit would likely be swiftly dismissed, and a Supreme Court rebuke could further damage Newsom's credibility.
Meanwhile, President Trump appeared resolute, reiterating his campaign pledge to enforce immigration laws and defend public safety. A CBS News poll about how the Trump administration is handling deportation drew support from 54% of Americans, including continued strong backing from the Republican base. (The survey was completed just before Saturday's protests and events in Los Angeles.)
From a political standpoint, Newsom's handling of the LA situation could haunt him for years. Should he run in the 2028 Democratic primary, he will face tough questions—not just from moderates like Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, but from voters nationwide—about his competence in crisis management. The recent riots follow a string of troubling episodes under Newsom's watch, including devastating wildfires that many blamed on poor forest management and state negligence.
Even if Newsom secures the Democratic nomination, the Republican challenger in 2028 will need little more than recent footage from Los Angeles to argue that Newsom is weak on law enforcement and immigration. These images of chaos—flags of foreign nations waving in American streets, overwhelmed police, and burned-out storefronts—may become the defining narrative of his candidacy.
Gavin Newsom may still have a future on the national stage, but after this weekend, it's clear: his once-bright path to the presidency just got a whole lot dimmer. His California legacy — ash, fire, and unrest disqualifies him from running for president in 2028.
Rajkamal Rao is a columnist and a member of the tippinsights editorial board. He is an American entrepreneur and wrote the WorldView column for the Hindu BusinessLine, India's second-largest financial newspaper, on the economy, politics, immigration, foreign affairs, and sports.
TIPP Market Brief – June 10, 2025
Your Morning Snapshot
📊 Market Snapshot
- S&P 500: ▲ 6,005.89 (0.09% )
- 10-Year Yield: ▼ 4.482%, (2.8 basis points)
- Crude Oil (WTI): ▲ $65.29 (1.10%)
- Bitcoin (BTC): ▼ $109,251.63
- US Dollar Index (USD): ▲ 99.11 (0.10%)
- Gold: ▲ $3,325.29 (0.41%)
Bigger Charts: $SPX | $TNX | $WTIC | $BTCUSD | $USD | $GOLD
📈 Featured Stock
Our pick for today’s featured stock
📰 News & Headlines
Why iRhythm Technologies (IRTC) Is Among the Best Performing Healthcare Stocks to Buy Now—Noor Ul Ain Rehman, Insider Monkey
⭐Recent Featured Stocks
Tutor Perini Corp (TPC) (6/9)
Aeva Technologies, Inc. (AEVA) (6/5)
Zscaler, Inc. (ZS) (6/4)
NRG Energy (NRG) (6/3)
Life360, Inc. (LIF) (6/2)
GE Aerospace (GE) (5/30)
Robinhood Markets, Inc. (HOOD) (5/29)
Carvana Company (CVNA) (5/28)
Hims & Hers Health, Inc. (HIMS) (5/27)
Roblox Corp (RBLX) (5/23)
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🧠 Macro Insight
• Futures Slip: Markets edge lower ahead of day two of U.S.-China trade talks in London. Trump signals progress, and chips rally on hopes of a rare earths deal.
• Apple Misses Hype: WWDC keynote unveils modest AI upgrades. Stock slides on lack of breakout features.
• Kennedy Shakes Up CDC: RFK Jr. removes all 17 members of vaccine panel. Biopharma faces uncertainty.
• Oil Gains: Crude inches up on trade optimism. Brent at $67.11, WTI at $65.33.
📅 Key Events Today
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