Governor Gavin Newsom has been a leader in California for over two decades, widely viewed as a Democratic presidential candidate in 2028 and, as of late, clashing hard with Donald Trump.
Trump’s orders to send the National Guard and Marines to quell protests over federal immigration raids, fueled demonstrations for a fifth day in Los Angeles, as California’s governor warned that “democracy is under assault.”
A video released by Newsom on June 10 features the former San Francisco mayor-turned-governor positioning himself as the leader of the Trump resistance. “This brazen abuse of power by a sitting president inflamed a combustible situation, putting our people, our officers and even our National Guard at risk. That’s when the downward spiral began.”
But who is Gavin Newsom? When did his political career begin? Here is what to know about the California governor:
Who is Gavin Newsom?
Gavin Christopher Newsome is the governor of California.
The American politician and businessman has been the state’s governor since 2019.
Prior to that, he served as the state’s 49th lieutenant governor from 2011 to 2019. He also served as the 42nd mayor of San Francisco from 2004-2011 and in 2005, volunteered for the city’s ex-mayor Willie Brown’s campaign in 1995.
In 1997, Brown appointed Newsom to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors seat vacated by Kevin Shelley. The following year, voters elected Newsom to a four-year term.
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How old is Gavin Newsom?
Gavin Newsom was born in October 1967 making him age 57.
Where was Gavin Newsom born?
Gavin Newsom was born in San Francisco.
Is Gavin Newsom a Democrat?
Gavin Newsom is a member of the Democratic Party.
Is Gavin Newsom married?
Newsom is married to an American documentary filmmaker named Jennifer Lynn Siebel Newsom.
The pair married in July 2008 and share four children.
Although on different sides of the political spectrum, Gavin Newsom and the president have a personal history and, at times, have been friendly.
Newsom was previously married to Kimberly Guilfoyle, an American TV personality and prosecutor. They split in 2005, and in 2018, she began dating Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr. in 2018. The two got engaged in 2020 and went public in 2022.
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Gavin Newsom speech: What did the governor say?
In the video released this week, Newsom accused Trump of “taking a wrecking ball” to democracy in connection with deploying national aid to the state to quell the protests.
“This is about all of us, this is about you,” Newsom said. “It clearly will not end here. Other states are next. Democracy is next. Democracy is under assault before our eyes. This moment we have feared has arrived.”
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Despite Newsom’s strong stance against the president’s action, the president claimed the move was needed to maintain order.
“If we didn’t get involved, right now Los Angeles would be burning,” Trump said at the White House on Tuesday, June 10.
Contributing: Zac Anderson
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who is Gavin Newsom? What to know about California governor
