Gavin Newsom Sues Trump over Tariffs
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California Sues Trump Over Tariff Authority
Above: California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood on March 26, 2025. Image copyright: Sarah Reingewirtz/Contributor/MediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News via Getty Images
The Spin
Republican narrative
The United States is in a crisis, and tariffs are the best way Trump knows to handle the situation. Newsom and Bonta are doing their state's people a disservice by wasting money to sue the administration while California is seeking federal aid for wildfire recovery and is being decimated by crime and a crisis around housing affordability.
Democratic narrative
These tariffs are an illegal overreach of presidential power that's causing global economic anxiety. By virtue of its size, California stands to be disproportionately harmed by these illegal tariffs. The state can negotiate some of its own trade deals, but it also must stand up to the administration to prevent an economic disaster and rein in Trump's powers.