California Governor Gavin Newsom says senators who ended shutdown ‘not alarmed enough’ about Donald Trump

“I’m not coming in to punch anybody in the face, but I’m not pleased that, in the face of this invasive species that is Donald Trump, who’s completely changed the rules of the game, we’re still playing by the old rules,” Newsom told The Associated Press (AP).

The eight senators seven Democrats and independent Angus King of Maine, who caucuses with them joined Republicans late Monday to pass a bill reopening the government. The move brought the longest shutdown in US history close to an end.

‘A surrender, not a deal’

The decision sparked anger among Democrats who said it gave in to Republicans without securing a long-term deal to extend health care subsidies that expire on 1 January.

Ahead of the vote, Newsom’s office posted on X, “Pathetic. This isn’t a deal. It’s a surrender. Don’t bend the knee!”

After the bill passed, he said the senators’ move was “capitulation and a betrayal of working Americans.”

Several of the senators involved are retiring or previously served as governors. They said they viewed the deal as imperfect but necessary to end the shutdown, which had led to missed pay, disruption in food aid and travel delays nationwide.

‘More alarmed than they are’

Asked about his own efforts to counter Trump from his outspoken online presence to a recent redistricting plan in California aimed at limiting Republican gains Newsom said he felt a stronger sense of urgency than others in his party.

“I’m really more alarmed than it appears the eight members of my party are in the United States Senate,” Newsom said.

“I’m much more alarmed about the future of our country and the world we’re trying to build than they are.”

Trump’s administration did not send an official delegation to COP30. Newsom, representing California, which would be the world’s fourth-largest economy, if it was an independent nation, is expected to meet officials from several of the 195 countries attending the climate summit.