California Gov. Gavin Newsom received intense blowback for calling the joint US-Israeli airstrikes in Iran an “illegal, dangerous war” while ripping President Trump’s decision to attack Tehran..
“The corrupt and repressive Iranian regime must never have nuclear weapons. The leadership of Iran must go,” Newsom wrote on X Saturday, after the US and Israel launched the coordinated strikes early that morning.
“But that does not justify the President of the United States engaging in an illegal, dangerous war that will risk the lives of our American service members and our friends without justification to the American people.
“President Trump is putting Americans at risk abroad because he is unpopular at home.”
The comments earned immediate criticism from those who questioned the potential 2028 presidential candidate‘s position.
“Which one is it Gavin? They can’t have nuclear weapons and need to be removed? Or the operation is not justified?” one X user responded. “Pick one stance please. If you want to run for President, you should get comfortable making bold statements on where you stand.”
Another defended the Trump’s authority, arguing Trump was within his constitutional powers to authorize the strikes: writing: “Not illegal — but you’d have to be able to read the Constitution to know that,” the user wrote.
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A third added that Newsom should simply stand behind his country.
“I know this is hard for you Gavin, so let’s try saying it together: ‘I support America,’” the user wrote.
Some cracked jokes at the governor’s expense.
“Iran is going to be free before California,” one user quipped.
“What’s the better course of action? Asking the leader of Iran to please resign? Maybe sending a fruit basket?” another chimed in.
Initial reports on the Iran attacks indicated a strike near Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s office in Tehran.
The military action followed weeks of stalled talks over Iran’s refusal to dismantle its nuclear program.
