CERES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 16: California Governor Gavin Newsom speaks during a news conference at Gemperle Orchard on April 16, 2025 in Ceres, California. Governor Gavin Newsom and California Attorney General Rob Bonta have filed a lawsuit in federal court challenging the Trump administration's use of emergency powers to enact sweeping tariffs that hurt states, consumers, and businesses. The tariffs have disrupted supply chains, increased costs for the state and Californians, and inflicted billions in damages on California’s economy, the fifth largest in the world. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Sacramento, California – California Governor Gavin Newsom’s standing in the 2028 Democratic presidential primary has seen a notable boost following his high-profile confrontation with President Donald Trump over immigration protests in Los Angeles, according to a recent Morning Consult poll.
Newsom, long regarded as a potential Democratic presidential contender, has positioned himself as a prominent critic of the Trump administration. The protests, which erupted after federal immigration raids in early June, thrust Newsom into the national spotlight, marking one of his most visible disputes with the president. Trump’s decision to federalize thousands of National Guard troops and deploy Marines to Los Angeles, asserting local officials were not controlling the demonstrations effectively, was met with sharp rebuke from Newsom. The governor argued that the situation was already under control and described the federal intervention as an overreach and abuse of power. In response, Newsom sued to block the federalization, though the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has temporarily upheld the federal presence.
The political consequences of Newsom’s stance are apparent in the latest poll results. His support among Democratic voters more than doubled since March, rising from 5 percent to 11 percent. This uptick comes even as former Vice President Kamala Harris—another Californian—retains a commanding lead, though her support dipped slightly from 36 percent to 34 percent. Other potential candidates like former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg saw modest declines, while Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s support increased marginally.
Despite the heightened tension, a significant portion of Democratic voters remain undecided or favor other candidates, with 16 percent unsure and 26 percent expressing support for alternatives. The poll surveyed 1,000 Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents in mid-June, reflecting the immediate aftermath of the protests.
The unrest in Los Angeles stemmed from aggressive immigration enforcement by ICE, igniting widespread criticism over the treatment of migrants and the tactics employed. While the Trump administration insisted on a strong federal response to curb violence, Newsom warned against militarizing the streets, framing the federal troop deployment as a violation of state sovereignty. The governor also accused the administration of disseminating doctored images to manipulate public perception.
Newsom’s confrontational posture has enhanced his national profile, with data analyst Harry Enten noting a dramatic spike in public interest, including a 9,700 percent increase in Google searches linking Newsom and Trump. As candidates begin to build momentum ahead of the 2028 race, Newsom’s role as a key opponent to Trump policies appears increasingly central.
While Harris’s ultimate decision on a presidential bid remains uncertain—and could reshape the contest—Newsom has left open the possibility of a campaign, telling The Wall Street Journal, “I’m not thinking about running, but it’s a path that I could see unfold.” As tensions cool in Los Angeles, Newsom’s political trajectory remains one to watch in the evolving Democratic primary landscape.
