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 and businessman 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. Prior to his statewide roles, Newsom was the 42nd Mayor of San Francisco, serving from 2004 to 2011. His career reflects a progression through local and state-level political offices in California.

Sections (5)

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

2000: Contribution to Republican Slate Mailer

In 2000, Gavin Newsom faced attacks during his mayoral campaign for contributing $500 to a Republican slate mailer that endorsed issues he supported.

2000: State Law Violation

In 2000, a state law was passed that Gavin Newsom would later violate in 2004 when he directed the San Francisco city–county clerk to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

August 2004: Same-Sex Marriages Annulled

In August 2004, the Supreme Court of California annulled the same-sex marriages Gavin Newsom had authorized, as they conflicted with state law.

2005: Newsom has affair with Ruby Rippey-Tourk

In 2005, Gavin Newsom had an affair with Ruby Rippey-Tourk, who was his appointments secretary at the time.

January 31, 2007: Alex Tourk confronts Newsom and resigns

On January 31, 2007, Alex Tourk confronted Gavin Newsom after learning from his wife, Ruby Rippey-Tourk, that she and Newsom had an affair in 2005. Tourk immediately resigned from his position as Newsom's campaign manager and former chief of staff.

2008: Opposition to Proposition 8

During the 2008 election, Newsom opposed Proposition 8, a ballot initiative to reverse the Supreme Court of California ruling that there was a constitutional right to same-sex marriage. His comments in a commercial may have inadvertently contributed to the amendment's passage.

2009: Sanctuary City Rule Criticism

In 2009, Newsom faced criticism from the San Francisco Democratic Party for his failure to implement the City of San Francisco's sanctuary city rule regarding assistance to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

May 2012: The Gavin Newsom Show and Sacramento Comments

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

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2016: Proposition 62 Support

In 2016, Newsom supported Proposition 62, which would have repealed the death penalty in California. He argued that the death penalty was immoral and did not deter crime; however, Proposition 62 failed.

February 24, 2017: Response to Federal Enforcement on Cannabis

On February 24, 2017, 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. He also distinguished cannabis from opioids.

2018: Rippey-Tourk speaks about the affair

In 2018, Ruby Rippey-Tourk spoke about her affair with Gavin Newsom, stating that it should not be associated with the #MeToo movement.

March 13, 2019: Moratorium on Death Penalty

On March 13, 2019, Newsom declared a moratorium on California's death penalty, preventing executions while he remained governor and closing the execution chamber at San Quentin State Prison.

September 2019: Veto of SB 1

In September 2019, 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

In November 2019, Gavin Newsom imposed a moratorium on approval of new hydraulic fracturing and steam-injected oil drilling in California. This was pending a review of the permits for those projects by an independent panel of scientists.

January 2020: False Claims Regarding Wildfire Prevention

In January 2020, Newsom and Cal Fire falsely claimed that 90,000 acres (36,000 ha) 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 Newsom, citing his sanctuary state policy and other grievances.

June 10, 2020: Recall Petition Approved for Circulation

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

August 2020: Recall Signature Verification Update

By August 2020, 55,000 signatures for the recall petition against Gavin Newsom were submitted and verified by the secretary of state.

September 2020: Transgender Inmate Housing Bill

In September 2020, Newsom signed a bill allowing California transgender inmates to be placed in prisons corresponding with their gender identity, subject to management and security concerns, leading to a lawsuit by the Women's Liberation Front.

October 2020: Recall Signature Verification Update

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

November 2020: The French Laundry Incident

In November 2020, Gavin Newsom's attendance at a party at The French Laundry, despite his public health measures, contributed to growing support for the recall effort.

November 17, 2020: Initial Recall Petition Deadline

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

2020: Recall Effort Comparison

During the campaign, Newsom compared the recall effort to the attempts to overturn the 2020 United States presidential election.

January 2021: Unemployment Benefit Mismanagement

In January 2021, the Los Angeles Times reported that Newsom's administration had mismanaged $11.4 billion in unemployment benefits by disbursing them to ineligible claimants, particularly through the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program, while $19 billion in claims remained under investigation for fraud.

March 17, 2021: Extended Recall Petition Deadline

March 17, 2021, was the extended signature deadline for the recall petition against Gavin Newsom, granted due to the pandemic.

May 2021: California's Death Rate Ranking

By May 2021, California had the 29th-highest COVID-19 death rate among all 50 states, despite stringent pandemic restrictions.

June 23, 2021: Report of False Claims Regarding Wildfire Prevention

On June 23, 2021, CapRadio reported that Newsom and Cal Fire falsely claimed in January 2020 that 90,000 acres of land at risk for wildfires had been treated; the actual treated area was much lower, and the original statement was ordered to be removed.

2021: Ballmer's Donation to Newsom Campaign

In 2021, Connie Ballmer, wife of former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, donated $1 million to the Newsom campaign.

2021: Facing Recall Effort During COVID-19 Pandemic

In 2021, Gavin Newsom faced criticism for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, which contributed to an unsuccessful recall effort against him.

2021: Newsom Addresses Conflict of Interest Concerns

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

January 13, 2022: Denial of Parole for Sirhan Sirhan

On January 13, 2022, Newsom denied parole to Sirhan Sirhan, Robert F. Kennedy's assassin, despite a parole board recommendation, citing Sirhan's lack of insight into his crime.

January 2022: Dismantling Death Row

In January 2022, Newsom directed California to begin dismantling its death row in San Quentin, transforming it into a "space for rehabilitation programs."

April 2022: Report of Failed Fire Prevention Program

In April 2022, CapRadio found that 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 Healthcare

In early 2022, Gavin Newsom faced criticism for not supporting CalCare, Assembly Bill 1400, which would have instituted single-payer healthcare in California. Critics suggested that opposition from business interests had swayed his opinion.

October 2023: Trip to China

In October 2023, Gavin Newsom traveled to China, including stops in Hong Kong, Beijing, Guangdong, Jiangsu, and Shanghai. He met with President Xi Jinping to discuss climate change, trade relations, and fentanyl production. The trip drew criticism over human rights concerns.

October 2023: Vetoing Caste Discrimination Ban

In October 2023, Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill that sought to ban discrimination based on caste, stating it was "unnecessary" due to existing protections against discrimination based on other characteristics. The veto was applauded by Hindu rights organizations but criticized by advocates for marginalized castes.

October 2023: Vetoing Labor Protection Bills

In October 2023, Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill that would have provided unemployment insurance to striking workers, citing the burden on the state's system. He also vetoed a bill to expand layoff protections for employees and restrict nondisclosure agreements.

October 2023: Vetoing Housing Assistance Bills

In October 2023, Gavin Newsom vetoed several bills intended to expand access to housing assistance, including measures to repurpose state-owned land for affordable housing, expand eligibility for state housing assistance, and mandate that Medi-Cal cover housing assistance costs.

February 2024: Newsom Pushes for Panera Bread Exemption in Minimum Wage Bill

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

September 2024: Newsom Signs Bill with Exception for Intuit Dome Alcohol Sales

In September 2024, Gavin Newsom signed AB 3206 into law, which carves out an exception to the state's last call alcohol law for one specific venue, Intuit Dome, owned by former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer.

2024: Veto of Farmworker Heat Illness Bill

In 2024, Gavin Newsom vetoed SB 1299, a bill that would have required workers' compensation judges to presume farmworkers' heat illness developed at work.

April 2025: Criticism of Newsom's Comment on Deportation

In April 2025, Newsom called the deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia "the distraction of the day", prompting criticism from U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen who said Newsom was "finger to the wind."

June 2025: Newsom v. Trump Lawsuit Filed

In June 2025, after protests in Los Angeles due to federal immigration raids, Newsom filed a federal lawsuit, Newsom v. Trump, challenging the legality of the troop deployment by President Trump, arguing it was an unconstitutional overreach.