‘Wake up’ America, Gavin Newsom says, warning that Donald Trump wants third term in office
California Governor Gavin Newsom has issued a stark warning that former President Donald Trump may attempt to remain in office beyond the constitutional limit and could use federal power to manipulate future elections in favor of himself and his allies.
In a 48-minute interview on August 27 at POLITICO’s The California Agenda: Sacramento Summit, Newsom voiced grave concerns about what he called the erosion of American democracy under Trump. He claimed Trump has used federal immigration agents as a “private police force” and suggested the former president may deploy federal officers to polling places during future elections.
“We are on the precipice of authoritarianism,” Newsom said, urging the audience to “wake up” to what he described as a growing threat. “The rule of law is being replaced by the rule of Don.”
Newsom, a high-profile Democrat and potential 2028 presidential candidate, questioned whether Trump even intends to allow another democratic election. “I don’t think Donald Trump wants another election,” he said, noting he has received “two dozen Trump 2028 hats” from Trump supporters.
He also referenced Trump’s ongoing renovations at the White House, including a reported 90,000-square-foot ballroom, questioning, “Who spends two hundred million dollars on a ballroom at their home and then leaves the house?”
Asked whether he expects a showdown with Trump in 2028, Newsom dodged the question but cast doubt on Trump’s claims that he’s joking about a third term. “You think he’s kidding? He shows foreign leaders 2028 hats when they visit the Oval Office,” Newsom said. “Wake up. If we don’t stop this, you will lose your country.”
Trump, who is constitutionally barred from serving more than two terms under the 22nd Amendment, has previously teased the idea of a third run, despite recently saying he would “probably not” pursue it. The amendment was ratified in 1951 following Franklin D. Roosevelt’s unprecedented four-term presidency.
Newsom also recalled a moment during a February Oval Office meeting where Trump pointed to a portrait of FDR — a gesture he interpreted as a signal of Trump’s interest in breaking presidential term limits.
Newsom has recently intensified his criticism of Trump, using his official social media account to mock Trump’s online persona and sounding the alarm about the former president’s intentions.
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