Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Gavin Newsom

A closer look at the most debated and controversial moments involving Gavin Newsom.

Gavin Newsom is an American politician currently serving as the 40th Governor of California since 2019. A Democrat, he previously held the position of the 49th Lieutenant Governor of California from 2011 to 2019. Before his statewide roles, Newsom was the 42nd Mayor of San Francisco from 2004 to 2011. His career reflects a trajectory of political leadership within California, progressing from municipal to state-level governance.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

2000: Contributed to a Republican slate mailer

In 2000, Gavin Newsom faced attacks for contributing $500 to a Republican slate mailer that endorsed issues he supported, during the November 4, 2003 election.

August 2004: Supreme Court of California Annulled Same-Sex Marriages

In August 2004, the Supreme Court of California annulled the same-sex marriages authorized by Gavin Newsom, as they conflicted with state law. Despite this, Newsom's actions brought national attention to same-sex marriage.

2005: Newsom Had Affair with Ruby Rippey-Tourk

In 2005, Gavin Newsom had an affair with Ruby Rippey-Tourk, his appointments secretary.

January 31, 2007: Alex Tourk Resigns After Affair Revelation

On January 31, 2007, Alex Tourk resigned as Gavin Newsom's campaign manager and chief of staff after learning about Newsom's affair with his wife, Ruby Rippey-Tourk, in 2005.

May 2012: Began Hosting "The Gavin Newsom Show" and Criticized Sacramento

In May 2012, Gavin Newsom began hosting "The Gavin Newsom Show" on Current TV. The same month, he faced criticism for calling Sacramento "dull" and stating he was only there once a week.

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2012: California voters upheld capital punishment

In 2012, California voters upheld capital punishment.

2016: California voters agreed to move condemned inmates to other prisons

In 2016, California voters agreed to move condemned inmates to other prisons.

February 24, 2017: Sent Letter Urging Against Increased Federal Enforcement Against Cannabis Firms

On February 24, 2017, Gavin Newsom sent a letter to Attorney General Jeff Sessions and President Donald Trump, urging them not to increase federal enforcement against recreational cannabis firms opening in California.

2018: Rippey-Tourk Comments on Affair and #MeToo Movement

In 2018, Ruby Rippey-Tourk stated that she did not believe Gavin Newsom's behavior in 2005 should be associated with the #MeToo movement.

March 13, 2019: Moratorium on California's death penalty declared

On March 13, 2019, Gavin Newsom declared a moratorium on the state's death penalty, preventing any executions while he remained governor. This action also led to the withdrawal of the state's lethal injection protocol and the closure of the execution chamber at San Quentin State Prison. Newsom cited the death penalty as a "racist system" that perpetuates inequality.

September 2019: Newsom vetoes SB 1

In September 2019, Gavin Newsom vetoed SB 1, which would have preserved environmental protections at the state level that were set to roll back nationally under the Trump administration's environmental policy.

November 2019: Moratorium on hydraulic fracturing and steam-injected oil drilling

In November 2019, Gavin Newsom imposed a moratorium on approval of new hydraulic fracturing and steam-injected oil drilling in the state until the permits for those projects could be reviewed by an independent panel of scientists.

January 2020: Newsom and Cal Fire falsely claimed 90,000 acres of land treated

In January 2020, Gavin Newsom and Cal Fire falsely claimed that 90,000 acres of land at risk for wildfires had been treated with fuel breaks and prescribed burns.

February 21, 2020: Recall Petition Introduced

On February 21, 2020, a recall petition was introduced against Gavin Newsom by Orrin Heatlie, citing various grievances including his sanctuary state policy.

April 2020: Resumption of hydraulic fracturing permits

In April 2020, state agencies in California resumed issuing new hydraulic fracturing permits.

June 10, 2020: Recall Petition Approved for Circulation

On June 10, 2020, the California secretary of state approved the recall petition against Gavin Newsom for circulation.

August 2020: Verified Signatures Submitted for Recall

By August 2020, 55,000 signatures had been submitted and verified by the California Secretary of State for the recall election against Governor Newsom.

September 2020: Bill signed allowing transgender inmates to be placed in prisons

In September 2020, Gavin Newsom signed a bill into law allowing California transgender inmates to be placed in prisons that correspond with their gender identity, subject to management and security concerns. This led to a lawsuit by the Women's Liberation Front.

October 2020: New Valid Signatures Submitted for Recall

By October 2020, 890 new valid signatures were submitted for the recall election against Governor Newsom.

November 2020: Growing support for Recall Petition

In November 2020, Governor Newsom's attendance at a party at The French Laundry, despite his public health measures; voter anger over lockdowns, job losses, school and business closures; and a $31 billion fraud scandal at the state unemployment agency were credited for the recall's growing support.

November 17, 2020: Initial Signature Deadline for Recall Petition

November 17, 2020, was the initial signature deadline for the recall petition against Governor Newsom, though it was later extended.

January 2021: Mismanagement of unemployment benefits reported

In January 2021, the Los Angeles Times reported that Gavin Newsom's administration had mismanaged $11.4 billion by disbursing unemployment benefits to ineligible claimants. Another $19 billion in claims remained under investigation for fraud, while legitimate claimants faced delays.

March 17, 2021: Extended Signature Deadline for Recall Petition

March 17, 2021, was the extended signature deadline for the recall petition against Gavin Newsom, after a judge ruled that petitioners could have more time due to the pandemic.

June 10, 2021: Criticism of Judge Roger Benitez

On June 10, 2021, Gavin Newsom called federal Judge Roger Benitez "a stone cold ideologue" after Benitez struck down California's statewide ban on assault weapons.

June 23, 2021: CapRadio reported false claims by Newsom and Cal Fire

On June 23, 2021, CapRadio reported that Gavin Newsom and Cal Fire had falsely claimed in January 2020 that 90,000 acres of land at risk for wildfires had been treated with fuel breaks and prescribed burns, while the actual treated area was 11,399 acres, an overstatement of 690%.

September 14, 2021: Recall Election Held

On September 14, 2021, the recall election was held for Gavin Newsom, with only 38% voting to recall him, allowing him to remain in office.

2021: California owed federal government for unemployment benefits

By the summer of 2021, California owed $23 billion to the federal government for unemployment benefits paid out during the pandemic, which was 43% of all unemployment debt owed to the federal government by 13 states.

2021: Newsom defends wife's nonprofit donations

In 2021, Governor Newsom said that he saw no conflict in his wife's nonprofit accepting donations from companies that lobby his administration.

2021: Poll suggests declining support for capital punishment

In 2021, a poll by the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies suggested declining support for capital punishment among California voters.

January 13, 2022: Newsom denies parole to Sirhan Sirhan

On January 13, 2022, Gavin Newsom denied parole to Sirhan Sirhan, Robert F. Kennedy's assassin, despite a parole board's recommendation. Newsom cited Sirhan's lack of insight and shifting narrative about the assassination.

January 2022: Newsom directs dismantling of death row in San Quentin

In January 2022, Gavin Newsom directed the state to begin dismantling its death row in San Quentin, with plans to transform it into a "space for rehabilitation programs." This action involved moving condemned inmates to other prisons with maximum security facilities.

April 2022: CapRadio finds program failed to make progress

In April 2022, CapRadio found a program hailed in 2020 by the Newsom administration to fast-track environmental reviews on high-priority fire prevention projects had failed to make progress.

2022: Criticism for walking back support for universal health care

In early 2022, Gavin Newsom was criticized for walking back from his support for universal health care and not supporting CalCare, Assembly Bill 1400, which would have instituted single-payer healthcare in California.

March 2023: Response to Walgreens' abortion pill decision

In March 2023, after Walgreens announced it would refuse to dispense abortion pills in states where it is illegal, Gavin Newsom stated California would cease doing business with Walgreens and explore ways to cancel their $54 million contract with the state prison system.

October 2023: Newsom Vetoes Bill to Ban Caste Discrimination

In October 2023, Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill to ban discrimination based on caste, calling it "unnecessary", which drew both applause and criticism.

October 2023: Newsom Vetoes Bills on Unemployment Insurance and Employee Protections

In October 2023, Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill to provide unemployment insurance to striking workers and another bill to expand protections for laid-off employees, citing financial burden and other concerns.

October 2023: Newsom Vetoes Housing Assistance Bills

In October 2023, Gavin Newsom vetoed several bills aimed at expanding access to housing assistance, including measures to repurpose state-owned land and expand eligibility for state housing assistance.

November 2023: Newsom and DeSantis Debate on Fox News

In November 2023, Gavin Newsom and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis debated on Fox News, with Sean Hannity as the moderator.

February 2024: Exemption for bakeries in fast food minimum wage bill

In February 2024, Bloomberg News reported that Gavin Newsom pushed for an exemption for businesses that bake and sell bread in AB 1228, a bill that raises the state's minimum wage for fast food workers to $20 per hour, benefiting Panera Bread bakery-cafes owned by Greg Flynn.

September 2024: Exception to alcohol law for Intuit Dome

In September 2024, the Los Angeles Times reported that Gavin Newsom had signed AB 3206 into law, carving out an exception to the state's last call alcohol law for one specific venue, Intuit Dome, owned by Steve Ballmer.

December 2024: Newsom Criticizes Biden's Pardon of Hunter Biden

In December 2024, Gavin Newsom criticized President Biden for pardoning his son Hunter Biden, expressing disappointment.

June 2025: Newsom sues Trump over deployment of troops

In June 2025, Gavin Newsom, leading the State of California, filed a federal lawsuit (Newsom v. Trump) challenging the legality of President Trump's deployment of troops to assist with immigration raids' response. The suit argued that the order exceeded the president's statutory powers and violated the Tenth Amendment and the Posse Comitatus Act.