California Governor Gavin Newsom delivered a fiery speech at the COP30 climate summit in Brazil, calling U.S. federal climate policy “dumb” and accusing Washington of abandoning global leadership. His remarks came as no senior federal officials attended the summit, leaving Newsom to position California as America’s voice in global climate diplomacy. From signing wildfire agreements to openly mocking Donald Trump’s leadership, Newsom used the international stage to send a clear message that California is stepping up where Washington has stepped back.
California Steps into the Void
Speaking to delegates at COP30 in Belém, Newsom wasted no time criticizing the lack of U.S. federal presence. “The reason I’m here is in the absence of leadership coming from the United States. This vacuum. It’s rather jaw-dropping. Not one representative. Not one,” he said during a fireside chat reported by SFGate. The governor portrayed California as the country’s climate standard-bearer, determined to fill the national void left by the White House.
Fierce Attack on U.S. Policy
Newsom’s remarks were scathing toward national climate priorities. According to Reuters, he declared, “The United States of America is as dumb as we want to be on this topic, but the state of California is not.” He added that California would “assert ourselves, lean in, and compete in this space.” His defiant tone reflected growing frustration among state leaders over federal inaction and policy reversals.
Partnership with Brazil
During his visit, Newsom and Governor Helder Barbalho of Pará signed a Memorandum of Understanding focused on wildfire prevention and response. The deal, announced on the California government’s website, aims to strengthen cooperation on forest monitoring, share firefighting resources, and build strategies to mitigate future climate disasters. The move showcased California’s commitment to international collaboration, even without Washington’s guidance.
Absence of Federal Leadership
Delegates at COP30 noted the complete absence of senior U.S. federal officials, a fact that did not escape Newsom’s attention. The contrast between California’s engagement and Washington’s silence was stark. Hosts and global attendees saw Newsom’s presence as symbolic of America’s internal divide on climate action and global cooperation.
Harsh Words for Trump
In one of the summit’s boldest moments, Newsom described Donald Trump as an “invasive species … a wrecking-ball president.” The Guardian reported that Newsom accused Trump of “dumbing down” America’s climate agenda and called the rollback of federal clean-energy programs “an abomination, it’s a disgrace.” His comments underscored the growing rift between California’s aggressive climate agenda and Trump’s legacy of withdrawal from global accords.
California’s Climate Record
California has built a reputation for progressive climate policies, including clean-tech investment, renewable-energy mandates, and emission reductions. The state has cut greenhouse gas emissions by 21 percent since 2000 while maintaining strong economic growth. Newsom framed California’s success as proof that environmental protection and economic expansion can coexist.
Deflecting 2028 Speculation
When asked about a potential 2028 presidential bid, Newsom refused to take the bait. “I don’t worry about 2028. I worry about fair and free elections. I’m more worried about 2026,” he said. His response kept the focus on governance rather than politics, though his global profile continues to spark speculation about his national ambitions.
California’s Message to the World
Newsom’s fiery rhetoric and international outreach send a broader signal that U.S. states can independently influence global climate action. “It’s a global competitive responsibility for us to assert ourselves more forcefully in the absence of national leadership,” he said. While Washington remains silent, Newsom is ensuring California’s voice is heard loud and clear on the world stage.