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Public disputes concerning the 2026 U.S. midterm election cycle, including campaigns, candidates, conventions, advertising, endorsements, and election-related policy promises.
Counts show individual statements. They do not assign an overall position.
4 statements on this page. Dates: April 2, 2024 to October 5, 2026
4 matching statements. Dates: April 2, 2024 to October 5, 2026
4 published statements. Dates: April 2, 2024 to October 5, 2026
3 published statements. Dates: September 14, 2026 to October 5, 2026
3 statements on this page. Dates: September 14, 2026 to October 5, 2026
Role at the time: Governor of California
Response to this claim
Trump was saying that foreign enemies of the United States should "take out" Los Angeles and San Diego.
“After sending the National Guard and Marines to occupy California, Donald Trump is now saying our foreign enemies should “take out” Los Angeles and San Diego.”
California Gov. Gavin Newsom's post on his personal X account, quoting a clip of the rally remark posted by the commentator Acyn.
The reference point is whether Trump's remark meant Iranian attacks on Los Angeles and San Diego would be an acceptable price for the war, as critics read it, rather than that the war prevents a nuclear Iran from being able to attack them, as the White House says. Newsom reads the remark as Trump saying foreign enemies should attack the two cities and calls him dangerous, which asserts and condemns the critics' reading. The closest competing label is Challenged the characterization, but Newsom does more than dispute a description: he states what he says Trump meant and criticizes it. Evidence: Newsom's own post on X.
Role at the time: Governor of California
Response to this claim
Elections Code section 15551(d) requires that voted ballots never be taken from the elections official's custody, so Sheriff Bianco violated it when he removed the Riverside County ballots from the Registrar of Voters, even under a search warrant.
“Governor Gavin Newsom today released the following statement in response to the California Supreme Court ruling Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco illegally seized hundreds of thousands of ballots from last year’s special election … Today’s ruling affirms that in California we will defend democracy — using every branch of government. And the new laws I signed just last week add new protections so attacks like this cannot happen again. People deserve to know their ballot is counted and secure, and in California we will do everything we can to protect that constitutional right — this year, and beyond.”
Official press release with Governor Newsom's statement on the California Supreme Court's ruling in Cervantes v. Bianco.
The reference point is the sheriff's seizure and handling of the ballots. The Governor describes the seizure as illegal and as an attack that new laws are meant to prevent, which expressly rejects the conduct.
Role at the time: California governor
Statement summary
Newsom welcomes the ruling and condemns Trump’s election actions as un-American.
“California stood up for democracy and we won”
California officials welcome the stay denial and oppose enforcement before the midterms. The release contains distinct statements from Weber, Bonta and Newsom.
Rejects the administration’s changes and supports blocking enforcement.
1 published statement. Dates: April 2, 2024
1 statement on this page. Dates: April 2, 2024
Role at the time: California governor
Statement summary
Newsom endorsed a 480-camera Flock network in Oakland and the East Bay as a tool for criminal investigations.
“we're equipping law enforcement with the tools they need to effectively combat criminal activity and hold perpetrators accountable”
Newsom announced a California Highway Patrol contract for fixed and highway cameras.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Relative to the continued existence of networked ALPR surveillance, Newsom expressly supports the deployment for law enforcement.
