Gavin Newsom enacts election protections and criticizes Trump

California Governor Gavin Newsom has introduced a legislative package to strengthen election protections ahead of the upcoming US midterm elections. Newsom accused President Donald Trump of attempting to manipulate elections and undermine confidence in mail-in voting. The new laws aim to secure the chain of custody for ballots, voting machines, and ballot boxes to prevent interference.

Speaking on the sidelines of a UN climate summit in New York, Newsom also criticized the President's environmental policies, accusing him of abdicating responsibility for climate change by prioritizing fossil fuels. Newsom predicted that if Democrats retake the House of Representatives in November, Trump's presidency “as we know it” would effectively end due to legislative constraints.

In separate domestic news, California continues to face housing challenges. While the state uses litigation to force municipal compliance with housing mandates, the city of Costa Mesa recently approved a development plan for 2,300 units on state land, a figure significantly lower than what planning staff deemed financially feasible to meet state targets. Meanwhile, polling suggests declining enthusiasm among some California voters regarding Newsom and Kamala Harris as potential 2028 presidential candidates.