SUMMERVILLE, S.C. — California Governor Gavin Newsom criticized President Donald Trump's policies on immigration, voting, and cryptocurrency during a series of public events in South Carolina. The visit was part of Newsom's "take it back" tour across states in the Deep South.

Newsom held eight public events in South Carolina during his recent trip. He opened the tour on Wednesday with one day in Alabama and finished on Saturday with two stops in North Carolina. This marked Newsom's third trip to South Carolina during the current midterm election season.

"We cannot do business as usual. We need to fight fire with fire," Newsom told roughly 150 people gathered inside a Lexington, S.C. community center on Friday. "We’ve got to meet this moment and recognize what we’re up against. We’re up against an invasive species in the name of Donald Trump." Newsom showed a chart detailing President Donald Trump's family earnings from cryptocurrency and private business dealings since the 2024 election during his South Carolina visits.

He also criticized President Donald Trump's decision to dispatch the National Guard to Los Angeles and other major U.S. cities. Newsom criticized the deployment of federal immigration agents to Los Angeles and other cities under President Donald Trump's direction. He further criticized President Donald Trump's efforts to limit mail voting ahead of the midterm elections.

"Donald Trump is ruthless. He’s ruthless. He’s going to try to steal this election," Newsom charged.

"He is not screwing around. Neither can we." When asked about his own political future, Newsom declined to give a definitive answer. "It’s the right question. Honestly, I don’t know," Newsom. "I think this thing’s happening. I mean, you already feel it, right? There are folks out here — they’re saying they’re already starting to interview state directors. So this thing is going to happen very, very quickly." Vendors sold "Gavin 2028" buttons outside Newsom's events in South Carolina.

South Carolina will host the Democratic Party’s opening presidential primary contest. The state has become a focal point for Democratic organizing efforts. Newsom served as a national surrogate for former President Joe Biden's campaign.

He previously debated Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and appeared regularly on Fox News. Former California Governor Ronald Reagan won the presidency, demonstrating that politicians from the state can achieve national office.

Protesters at Newsom's events waved signs reading "Wrong Coast" and "Clean Up Your State First." CJ Westfall, Republican chairman of Dorchester County, voiced opposition to the governor's presence. "We don’t want Gavin Newsom to California our South Carolina," Westfall said. Vera DeVito, a Democratic voter in the town of Summerville, expressed skepticism about Newsom's broader appeal.

"It's going to be hard for him to appeal to the whole country," DeVito said. "Everybody thinks California is different — especially in the South. They're not crazy about California." Kirk Bovill, a semi-retired actor, offered a mixed assessment of the governor's prospects. "He has strong potential," Bovill said. "The question is how he's perceived outside of California. People might think he's too Hollywood." Bovill continued by noting Newsom's willingness to engage in political combat. "The one thing he does very well: He doesn’t have a problem standing up to Trump," Bovill said. "He's not intimidated."

California is the nation's most populous state and the world's fourth-largest economy. The state's population has been growing since a dip during the COVID-19 pandemic. Under Newsom's leadership, California has enacted expanded healthcare coverage regardless of immigration status.

The state also enacted expanded paid sick leave and universal free school meals. California enacted a $20 minimum wage for fast food workers under Newsom's leadership. The state enacted protections for women from other states seeking abortions under Newsom's leadership. California enacted aggressive climate change laws and aggressive gun control laws under Newsom's leadership. Newsom also enacted a death penalty moratorium in California.

The Justice Department filed legal action against Governor Newsom and Secretary of State Shirley Weber regarding California's newly adopted redistricting plan enacted with the passage of Proposition 50. Proposition 50 amends the California Constitution, allowing the legislature to draw a new congressional-district map. The Justice Department suit alleges that California's redistricting plan mandates racially gerrymandered congressional districts in violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Why It Matters

Newsom's tour through the Deep South shows the strategic importance of South Carolina, which will host the Democratic Party’s opening presidential primary contest. The governor's criticism of President Donald Trump's policies on immigration, voting, and cryptocurrency frames the upcoming electoral cycle as a direct confrontation between the two political figures. By labeling Trump an "invasive species," Newsom positioned himself as a leading voice in opposition to the president's agenda.

The visit also reflects the complex perception of California politics in other regions. While Newsom pointed to policy achievements such as expanded healthcare coverage and a $20 minimum wage for fast food workers, critics like CJ Westfall and Vera DeVito suggested these measures may not resonate with voters in the South. The presence of "Gavin 2028" buttons and Newsom's comments about state directors being interviewed indicate ongoing speculation about his national ambitions. Simultaneously, the Justice Department's legal challenge to California's redistricting plan illustrates the continuing friction between state and federal authorities over election administration and civil rights protections.

How Sources Differ

Reports on California's legislative achievements under Governor Newsom present different aspects of his governance. California state legislation indicates that California has enacted a $20 minimum wage for fast food workers under Newsom's leadership.