Newsoms 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 ...