Gavin Newsom
Weighing whether to commute all 563 death-row sentences to life without parole as a final act before leaving office, a move that would be the largest death-row clearing in modern American history.
Gavin Newsom is weighing the largest death-row clemency question in modern American history: whether to commute all 563 death sentences to life without parole as a final act before leaving office. He is openly torn, asking "Do we have the right to kill? ... I don't believe we do," while advisers urge "Don't do it. Don't do it."
His loudest fight is with President Trump. After Trump suggested Iran "taking out" Los Angeles and San Diego would be a "small price to pay," Newsom called him "deranged and dangerous," urged the 25th Amendment and pointed the State Threat Assessment Center at foreign threats.
He leads the opposition to Proposition 40, the one-time 5 percent tax on assets over $1 billion on November's ballot, arguing it would drive billionaires and their tax revenue out of state; his side has raised over $300 million, outspending the tax's supporters, and polls are divided. Representative Ro Khanna accuses him of doing "the bidding of Trump's donors."
The day job continues. Newsom directed regulators to order some 800 mortgage lenders and servicers to report by October 29 how they handled insurance payouts to Palisades and Eaton fire survivors, with lenders holding proceeds owing at least 2 percent annual simple interest. His wildfire bill limiting insurers' recoveries from utilities died without an Assembly vote, leaving hedge funds buying claims at steep discounts. He signed two laws setting standards for independent AI evaluators and is designing an AI kill switch with New York's Kathy Hochul and Oregon's Tina Kotek.
A CalMatters investigation put his taxpayer-funded communications operation at 24 employees and a $2.6 million payroll behind TikToks, memes and a podcast with conservative guests, which his office defends as countering right-wing misinformation; Republican strategist Rob Stutzman says he is building a 2028 image with state resources.
On their plate
Newsom is weighing whether to commute the sentences of all 563 prisoners on California's death row to life without parole as a final act before leaving office, what would be the largest clearing of a death row in modern American history. Deliberations intensified after a botched execution in Tennessee, and he is openly torn: "Do we have the right to kill? That is a deep and existential question, and I don't believe we do," while advisers urge "Don't do it. Don't do it." The California Supreme Court would have to approve clemency for the more than half of inmates with multiple felony convictions, and strategists warn a mass commutation could complicate his presidential ambitions.
Newsom leads the campaign against Proposition 40, the one-time 5 percent tax on assets over $1 billion on the November 3 ballot, arguing it would drive billionaires and their tax revenue out of state. His side has raised more than $300 million, significantly outspending the tax's supporters, with polls divided. Representative Ro Khanna is attacking him for it, saying "Gavin, you can't pretend to be anti-Trump while doing the bidding of Trump's donors," as Bernie Sanders headlines California rallies for the measure.
After Trump suggested Iran "taking out" Los Angeles and San Diego would be a "small price to pay," Newsom called him "deranged and dangerous," declared "Donald Trump is mentally ill. TIME FOR THE 25TH!" and directed the State Threat Assessment Center to monitor foreign threats. Separately, he amplified a since-deleted ABC News report alleging defense companies tied to Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump secured more than $6 billion in government contracts, saying "The American people were fleeced. Accountability is coming." Trump Jr. mocked him back, saying ABC deleted the story because it was false.
After more than 160 complaints of delays, Newsom directed regulators to order some 800 mortgage lenders and servicers to report by October 29 how they handled insurance payouts to survivors of the January 2025 Palisades and Eaton fires, and signed a law requiring lenders holding insurance proceeds to pay homeowners at least 2 percent annual simple interest. His compromise bill to limit insurers' ability to recover wildfire costs from utilities, SB 492, expired without an Assembly vote in August, leaving hedge funds free to buy fire subrogation claims at steep discounts.
Newsom signed two laws establishing standards for independent AI verification organizations and creating a professional registry for AI evaluators, aimed at forcing real third-party audits of powerful AI systems, eliminating performative testing and aligning California with EU standards and watermarking rules. He is working with New York's Kathy Hochul and Oregon's Tina Kotek to design a kill switch for runaway AI systems. His auditor framework is now the backdrop as OpenAI and Anthropic voluntarily embed third-party safety evaluators in the absence of federal regulation.
Key relationships
Newsom is in an open feud with the president, calling for his removal under the 25th Amendment after Trump mused about Iran striking California cities.
The congressman is attacking Newsom for leading opposition to the billionaire tax on the November ballot.
The New York governor is working with Newsom to design a kill switch for runaway AI systems.
Newsom amplified a since-deleted report alleging defense-contract windfalls for companies tied to the Trump sons; Trump Jr. publicly mocked him over it.
The Oregon governor is working with Newsom to design a kill switch for runaway AI systems.
