During a press briefing on Monday, California Governor Gavin Newsom delivered a blistering rebuke of President Donald Trump’s ongoing military conflict against Iran—Operation Epic Fury—which has so far resulted in the deaths of six U.S. service members.
Newsom zeroed in on a Medal of Honor ceremony at the White House, where the president seemed to prioritize self-congratulation over solemn leadership, failing to meaningfully address the deaths of service members who lost their lives as a result of his ill-prepared war with Iran—that he launched without any congressional authorization.
Gavin pointed out that Trump devoted more time to describing renovations to his gratuitous ballroom than to acknowledging the fallen troops. “Donald Trump spent more time talking about his ballroom than he did about the loss of those lives,” Newsome stated. “Review the tape.”
The governor said the administration has still not articulated a clear endgame for the war. There has been no invocation of the War Powers Act, no detailed explanation of objectives, and no public accounting of what success looks like. In Newsom’s view, Congress is now left to reassert its constitutional authority after being sidelined.
Newsom Calls Out Trump On His Failures: ‘We’re Sicker And Poorer’
Beyond the battlefield, Newsom warned of mounting economic consequences. Global energy prices are rising, oil markets are tightening, and gas prices are climbing. He noted that for roughly every $10 increase in the price of a barrel of oil, Americans can expect to pay about 24 cents more per gallon at the pump—a burden he tied directly to the conflict.
At the same time, Newsom criticized Trump for pursuing domestic policies that exacerbate affordability challenges: cutting food assistance, reducing Medicaid support, and extending tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans. He said the administration has offered no pivot from slowing job growth and renewed inflationary pressure, conditions that are now compounded by geopolitical instability. Markets have declined, cryptocurrency values have plunged, and what had been relatively stable gas prices may now sharply rise as well.
Newsom also raised alarms about the broader regional fallout. Gulf allies have come under attack, American aircraft have been shot down in chaotic cases of friendly fire, and questions remain about strikes that resulted in civilian casualties, including children at an Iranian school. The administration, he said, has not explained what imminent threat justified the escalation.
Trump campaigned on promises of prosperity and stability, Newsom noted. Instead, Americans are facing higher costs, economic uncertainty, and a growing military conflict overseas.
