California Governor Gavin Newsom just pulled the plug on a radical experiment that many conservatives warned would backfire.
The Daily Caller reported that on Wednesday, Newsom repealed a 2022 law that decriminalized loitering for prostitution, acknowledging its role in fueling a surge in sex trafficking across the Golden State. This about-face has tongues wagging about whether he’s recalibrating his image for a bigger political stage.
On that same Wednesday, Newsom signed a new measure, AB 379, restoring misdemeanor penalties for loitering with intent to solicit and adding tougher consequences for those targeting minors.
Let’s rewind to 2022, when Newsom first signed SB 357, a law pushed by San Francisco’s state Senator Scott Wiener, which aimed to reduce harassment of sex workers by decriminalizing loitering for solicitation.
Many on the right saw it as a reckless move, arguing it would embolden crime under the guise of compassion. Investigative journalist Abigail Shrier later reported a stark rise in sex trafficking tied to this policy, validating those early concerns.
Fast forward to August 30, 2025, and Newsom seems to have heard the critics loud and clear. By signing AB 379, he’s not just reversing course but doubling down with felony charges for adults soliciting 16- or 17-year-olds, unless they’re within three years of the minor’s age. It’s a rare win for those who’ve long argued that progressive policies often ignore harsh street realities.
Newsom himself framed this as a moral stand, stating, “By signing this bill into law, California is again going on record to support survivors and victims of human trafficking.”
Nice sentiment, but let’s not pretend this wasn’t a policy blunder in the first place—repealing a law you signed just three years ago isn’t exactly a badge of foresight.
The new penalties in AB 379 targeting predators of minors are a step conservatives can applaud, though some might ask why it took a trafficking spike to prompt action.
If protecting the vulnerable was the goal, why flirt with decriminalization at all? It’s a question worth chewing on as California grapples with its crime challenges.
Of course, the timing of this repeal raises eyebrows, especially with whispers of Newsom eyeing a presidential bid in 2028.
A high-profile clash with the Trump administration during the Los Angeles riots in June 2025, plus a lawsuit against Fox News, suggests he’s not shy about playing to the Democratic base. But is this tough-on-crime pivot a genuine shift or just savvy branding?
Consider his recent moves in South Carolina, a critical Democratic primary state, where he toured rural areas on July 8, 2025, shaking hands at coffee shops and small businesses.
Hosted by Representative James Clyburn, who told reporters, “I feel good about his chances,” Newsom’s retail politicking smells like a campaign warmup. For conservatives, it’s a reminder that policy flips often hide bigger ambitions.
Newsom’s media blitz in 2025, including a podcast and social media show featuring conservative voices like Charlie Kirk and Steve Bannon, also hints at a man testing broader appeal. Is he trying to soften his progressive edges for a national audience? It’s a calculated dance, and skeptics on the right will watch if these gestures match real governance.
Back to the policy at hand, AB 379’s focus on punishing those who exploit minors is a point of rare bipartisan agreement.
Yet, conservatives might argue that rolling back SB 357 doesn’t erase the damage done since 2022, when streets reportedly became more dangerous. It’s a fix, not a full reckoning.
Newsom’s own words on broader issues, like his July 25, 2025, tweet warning, “If we don’t stop this anti-democracy movement now,” suggest he’s still framing himself as a fighter against conservative ideals. That’s fine, but reversing a flagship progressive law might confuse even his staunchest allies. Is this principle or political chess?
For many on the right, this repeal is a grudging nod to reality over ideology, a reminder that feel-good laws can have brutal consequences.
Still, there’s empathy for those caught in trafficking’s web—victims deserve protection, not experiments in social theory. The challenge is ensuring policies don’t swing too far either way.
As Newsom navigates California’s complex issues, his national profile keeps growing, whether through South Carolina tours or media ventures. But conservatives will keep a sharp eye on whether this law change signals a deeper rethink or just a momentary pivot. Actions, not optics, will tell the tale.