California Gov. Gavin Newsom delivered a pointed message to global leaders at the Munich Security Conference: “Donald Trump is temporary. He’ll be gone in three years.”
Looking Beyond Trump
In his remarks, Newsom urged European allies and other world leaders to consider America’s future beyond the current administration. He argued that President Donald Trump’s climate and foreign policies should not be viewed as a permanent reflection of the United States.
“It’s important for folks to understand the temporary nature of this current administration in relationship to the issue of climate change and climate policy,” Newsom said.
The governor criticized the rollback of the 2009 “endangerment finding,” a key regulatory basis for limiting greenhouse gas emissions, and accused the administration of prioritizing oil, gas and coal interests.
A Direct Appeal to Europe
Newsom encouraged international leaders to “call this guy out” over climate and broader policy disagreements, framing his comments as part of a larger appeal for continued transatlantic cooperation despite political turbulence in Washington.
The trip to Munich is part of a broader effort by Democratic leaders to reinforce alliances and present an alternative to Trump’s more transactional foreign policy approach, which has included fluctuating tariffs, pressure on NATO allies and expanded military actions abroad.
While in Germany, Newsom is expected to meet with Chancellor Friedrich Merz and formalize a new partnership between California and Ukraine.
Democrats Expand Their Global Footprint
Several Democratic lawmakers are also attending the conference. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is participating in panel discussions, signaling a growing role in foreign policy conversations as she broadens her national profile.
Meanwhile, Secretary of State Marco Rubio is leading the official U.S. delegation and described the summit as an opportunity to clarify America’s strategic direction in what he called a “new era in geopolitics.”
Transatlantic Tensions in Focus
Relations between the United States and Europe have faced strain amid renewed trade disputes, calls for increased NATO defense spending and recent military operations abroad. Against that backdrop, the Munich conference has become a key forum for assessing the future of U.S.–European ties.
Newsom’s central message was clear: the current political moment, he argued, does not define America’s long-term trajectory. Whether allies are willing to wait for that shift remains an open question.
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