Gavin Newsom has suggested that Donald Trump’s presidency would effectively lose its authority following the 2026 midterm elections if Democrats regain control of Congress. Speaking to Jen Psaki on her programme The Briefing, Newsom argued that a Democratic victory in November would bring an end to the presidency “as we know it”, even though Trump would formally remain in office for several more years.
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The comments came amid reported frustration within Trump’s own political base over issues including the administration’s handling of files related to Jeffrey Epstein and its continued support for trade tariffs. Newsom maintained that internal divisions among Trump’s supporters would not alter the immediate reality of his presidency, but said its practical power would diminish if the Democrats were to secure a House majority, enabling Hakeem Jeffries to become Speaker.
Newsom also accused the president of attempting to shape the electoral landscape in his favour through what he described as suppression tactics. These included claims of undermining postal voting, centralising federal control over elections and deploying federal agents across the country. He warned that such actions required sustained attention, arguing that political opposition should not underestimate their potential impact.
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Turning to recent reporting by NPR, which alleged that the Justice Department withheld and removed more than 50 Epstein-related files connected to Trump, Newsom described the claims as deeply concerning. He suggested there was a risk that key information might never emerge, raising the possibility of pardons and the disappearance of records towards the end of Trump’s term. Newsom concluded that the courts alone were unlikely to restrain the president, describing them as obstacles rather than effective limits on executive power.
