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Newsom’s Munich misadventure — and what world leaders should ask him

Gavin Newsom must think the road to the Democratic nomination for president runs through Munich.

Newsom attended the Munich Security Conference (MSC) this weekend, hobnobbing among the elite at the annual high-level gathering of heads of state, foreign ministers, military leaders, and experts.

Typically, the discussions revolve around global security issues, including transatlantic relations, defense, climate risks, economics, and conflicts like Ukraine.

Why is Newsom there, when his own state is collapsing?

His latest trip is rightfully drawing criticism as political preening — with the 2028 presidential campaign in mind.

Newsom appeared on a panel, “Spotlight on Transatlantic Cooperation from the Bottom-Up,” that emphasized how state-level actors like California can build international bridges and contribute to global stability amid fraying national relations.

But transatlantic cooperation falls outside Newsom’s purview as governor.

Broader foreign policy, international security alliances (such as transatlantic relations involving NATO), and global security challenges are exclusively federal responsibilities.

Newsom lacks the authority to influence or represent his country — or his state — at that level.

He also spoke on a climate action panel, “Playing With Fire: The Need for Decisive Climate Action,” emphasizing the implications of climate change, clean energy transitions, and California’s leadership in combating the “climate emergency.”

He highlighted state commitments despite federal policy shifts under President Trump.

Newsom in November attended the COP30 U.N. Climate Summit in Brazil, where he criticized U.S. policies and Trump as a “wrecking ball” on climate progress, and instead promoted California’s aggressive state-level measures.

Newsom persistently stresses that California remains a “stable and reliable partner” for international leaders on issues like trade, jobs, climate initiatives, and multilateralism, contrasting that with perceived isolationist or disruptive U.S. federal policies.

But Newsom’s real agenda may have been to avoid being outflanked by other potential Democratic presidential candidates also in Munich, including Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

All are urging Europe to stand firm against Trump — a break with the old protocol rule that “politics ends at the water’s edge.”

Newsom, for example, explicitly told audiences that “Donald Trump is temporary” and “he’ll be gone in three years.” That’s an odd way to “defend democracy,” but it’s the next election he has in mind, not the last one.

Meanwhile, there are real problems in California. The state faces alarming projections of a potential $18 billion shortfall for 2026-27, and as high as $35 billion in coming years.

Then there are California’s high poverty rates, with 7 million residents below the poverty line, and the nation’s highest level of child poverty.

The state also has the largest homeless population and a soaring cost of living.

Newsom’s California is still struggling with theft, property crime, and retail smash-and-grabs, all linked to his refusal to fund law-and-order reforms under voter-approved Proposition 36.

There are also high energy and record-high gas prices.

Several oil refineries have closed shop and fled the state. California has to import oil. 

Vulnerabilities in the state’s Medi-Cal system have led to billions in fraud and questionable payments.

Residents in wildfire-affected areas of Los Angeles are livid over slow rebuilding after devastating fires.

Under Newsom, audits have revealed persistent inefficiencies, with no major reforms to address billions in losses.

Headline-grabbing high taxes are driving companies and wealthy residents out; an estimated $1 trillion to $2 trillion of billionaire taxpayers’ assets have already fled a potential 5% tax on their wealth.

Projects like high-speed rail remain stalled and over budget; water shortages persist despite ample rains; the massive toll of illegal immigration continues; and preparations for the Olympics in 2028 seem invisible.

As Newsom appeals to global heads of state for support against Trump, perhaps they should examine his record in California, and ask whether he belongs anywhere near discussions of global security.

Richie Greenberg is a political commentator based in San Francisco.

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