Newsom Mocks DOGE, Boasts About California While Ignoring Reality

California Governor Gavin Newsom took a swipe at the incoming Trump administration this week, mocking the Republican push for streamlined government by sarcastically comparing their efforts to California’s supposed efficiency. Newsom quipped, “We’ve been working, I dunno, before DOGE was DOGE,” while dismissing the purpose of DOGE a government reform aimed at reducing costs and saving taxpayers’ money.

But behind Newsom’s bravado lies a mountain of evidence showing that California’s so-called efficiency is anything but effective. From massive budget deficits to unchecked homelessness and bloated projects like the high-speed rail, Newsom’s leadership has left the Golden State tarnished.

Under Newsom, California’s fiscal situation has spiraled out of control. The state faces significant operating deficits, including:

• $27 billion deficit in 2023-24, ballooning to $55 billion in 2024-25, according to the state’s nonpartisan fiscal advisor.

• Growth in spending averaging 5.8% annually through 2028-29, driven by expanded programs and unchecked growth in state expenditures.

While Newsom celebrated budget surpluses in 2022, the Associated Press revealed they were fueled by federal COVID-19 aid and a progressive tax code targeting the state’s wealthiest residents. With those revenue streams drying up, Californians are now left holding the bag.

The Tax Foundation’s 2025 State Tax Competitiveness Index ranks California a dismal 48th in the nation. The state combines some of the highest tax rates with a complex, punitive tax structure. This ranking highlights the challenges faced by businesses and residents alike, who bear the brunt of Newsom’s policies.

Despite spending nearly $24 billion on homelessness since 2019, California’s crisis has only worsened. A recent state audit slammed the lack of oversight in Newsom’s homelessness programs, noting that billions of dollars have been spent with no consistent tracking of outcomes.

The homelessness epidemic remains one of the most visible failures of Newsom’s administration, with unsheltered populations continuing to rise even as taxpayers foot the bill for ineffective programs.

Newsom’s pride in California’s high-speed rail project which he declared as “making rail real” is another example of his administration’s misplaced priorities. Initially estimated at $33 billion, the project’s cost has now ballooned to over $100 billion, with little to show for it. The rail remains largely unfinished, serving as a testament to the state’s wasteful spending under Newsom’s watch.

While Newsom mocks federal reform efforts and touts his record, the facts tell a different story. California faces staggering deficits, uncompetitive taxes, a worsening homelessness crisis, and costly infrastructure failures. These realities paint a clear picture of failed leadership and misplaced priorities under his administration.

Share this article and stay informed. Subscribe to our newsletter for more updates.