Citing a political environment where “apparently there are no rules any more,” Governor Gavin Newsom has justified his decision to publicly reveal a private conversation with Donald Trump. He argues that Trump’s own actions have shattered political norms, making his disclosure a necessary act of public service.
The revelation in question is Newsom’s claim that Trump, in a one-on-one Oval Office meeting, spoke seriously about running for a third term in violation of the 22nd Amendment. It’s a bombshell claim, and Newsom’s justification is that the public has a right to know about such a direct threat to the Constitution.
Newsom’s actions reflect a growing sentiment among some Democrats that they can no longer afford to play by a traditional rulebook that their opponents have discarded. His call to “fight fire with fire” is a direct challenge to a more cautious, institutionalist wing of his own party.
This move represents a significant moment in the ongoing political battle. By breaking the unwritten rule of Oval Office confidentiality, Newsom is signaling that the stakes are now so high that all options must be on the table to counter what he sees as a looming democratic crisis.