Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, February 14th. When California Governor Gavin Newsom attended the Munich Security Conference in Germany on the 13th, he criticized the Trump administration's environmental policies, saying that the latter was trying to "take the United States back to the 19th century." He also called on everyone to be patient because "he will step down in three years."
The Democratic governor spoke during a climate policy discussion and said that in the field of environmental and climate protection, there has never been a "such a destructive president" in the history of the United States.
On February 13, in Munich, Germany, police officers were on duty near the opening ceremony of the 62nd Munich Security Conference (Munich Security Conference). Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Li Ying
The Trump administration announced on the 12th that it was rescinding the scientific determination in a 2009 research report by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that six greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, pose potential threats to the health and welfare of the American public. Under the U.S. Clean Air Act's definition of "endangering public health and welfare," the federal government is justified in taking action to limit greenhouse gas emissions. This recognition is regarded as an important legal basis for the U.S. government to regulate greenhouse gas emissions, promote the development of electric vehicles, and combat climate change.
This is the largest single deregulatory move in U.S. history. In response to the above-mentioned measures of the Trump administration, Newsom bluntly said: "Trump is doubly stupid… trying to take the United States back to the 19th century."
Newsom warned that the United States is experiencing frequent disasters related to climate change, and people are already suffering the consequences of worsening air quality, frequent wildfires, and intensified flooding.
Newsom also said: "If there is only one message that can be sent today, it is that Trump is just a passenger and he will be gone in three years."
This is the White House taken in Washington, the capital of the United States, on December 2, 2025. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Hu Yousong
The White House has not yet commented on Newsom's remarks.
According to the Associated Press and other media, Newsom is regarded as the Democratic candidate for the 2028 U.S. presidential election. Newsom has often been an outspoken critic of Trump.
The Associated Press said that this "fire" against Trump at the Security Council meeting was Newsom's "transmission of anti-Trump arguments to Europe" and showed that he is striving to "become the most influential figure in the Democratic camp to fight against President Trump."
In fact, when attending the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, in January, Newsom called on people from all walks of life, including business leaders, to stand up against Trump and hold him accountable. "We must stand up with a clearer stance, stronger convictions and be more consistent in our actions."
Newsom also sparked heated debate for publicly displaying and promoting a red knee pad to satirize some Western politicians and business people for "kowtow" to Trump.
According to the schedule, Newsom will also participate in a special discussion on the 14th. According to the Associated Press, this will once again provide him with an opportunity to "bombard" Trump. The criticism may involve his handling of NATO affairs, his coveting of Greenland, and military strikes on Venezuela. (Qiao Ying)
