California Governor Gavin Newsom has issued a stark warning about President Donald Trump’s apparent desire to pursue a third term, a move that would violate the U.S. Constitution. Speaking at a Politico summit in Sacramento on August 27, 2025, Newsom urged Americans to “wake up” to what he described as Trump’s disregard for democratic norms and the rule of law. The governor’s comments come amid growing concerns about the state of American democracy under Trump’s leadership.
Trump’s Third-Term Aspirations
During the Politico event, Newsom claimed that Trump is “gravely serious” about running for a third term in 2028, despite the 22nd Amendment, which limits presidents to two terms. Newsom pointed to a February 2025 Oval Office meeting where Trump referenced Franklin D. Roosevelt, the only U.S. president to serve more than two terms. “I said, ‘I know exactly what you mean,’” Newsom recalled, noting that Trump went on to discuss a third term at length. The governor also mentioned receiving two dozen “Trump 2028” hats from the president’s supporters, suggesting that Trump’s base is encouraging this unconstitutional ambition.
Newsom highlighted Trump’s lavish spending on a 90,000-square-foot ballroom at the White House, comparing it to one at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort. “Who spends $200 million on a ballroom at their home and then leaves the house?” Newsom asked, implying that Trump has no intention of leaving office.
A Threat to Democratic Norms
Newsom accused Trump of undermining the rule of law, declaring that it is being replaced by “the rule of Don.” He referenced Trump’s actions following the 2020 election, when the former president made baseless claims of voter fraud and incited the January 6 Capitol attack to disrupt the certification of Joe Biden’s victory. Newsom warned that Trump’s current behavior suggests he may not respect the democratic process in the future. “I don’t think Donald Trump wants another election,” he said, expressing doubt about whether free and fair elections will continue under Trump’s influence.
The governor also criticized federal immigration agencies, calling Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol agents “the largest private police force in history.” He suggested that these agencies are acting in Trump’s personal interests rather than upholding the Constitution, and he raised concerns about their potential deployment to polling places to intimidate voters.
Newsom’s Call to Action
Known for his sharp online criticism of Trump and Republicans, Newsom urged Democrats to adopt a more aggressive stance. He cited former President Bill Clinton’s advice that Americans prefer “strong and wrong” leadership over weakness, encouraging his party to “fight fire with fire.” In California, Newsom is pushing a redistricting proposal to counter a Trump-backed gerrymander in Texas that could secure five additional Republican seats in Congress. California voters will decide in November 2025 whether to temporarily override the state’s independent redistricting commission to give Democrats an advantage in five Republican-held districts.
Newsom’s combative approach has drawn a response from Trump, who recently called the governor “incompetent” but acknowledged that he “looks good.” Newsom, however, remains undeterred, using social media to mock Trump with satirical memes and AI-generated content. He described his team’s strategy as having a “Kill Switch” for posts, though he admitted to approving more of them lately.
A Bleak Outlook for Democracy
Newsom painted a grim picture of the state of American democracy, warning that the country is “on the precipice of tipping into authoritarianism.” He called on Americans to take Trump’s threats seriously, emphasizing that the president’s actions are not mere exaggeration but a real danger to the nation’s democratic foundations. “We’re losing this country in real time,” Newsom said. “This is not bloviation, this is not exaggeration. It’s happening.”
As a potential 2028 presidential candidate, Newsom’s warnings carry significant weight. His decision to share details of a private Oval Office conversation is unusual for a sitting governor, but Newsom justified it by saying, “Apparently there are no rules anymore.” His remarks underscore the growing tension between Democratic leaders and Trump as the nation grapples with questions about the future of its democracy.
