In a recent development, Governor Gavin Newsom was caught lying about his past support for the anti-police movement seeking to 'defund the police.'
The Washington Examiner reported that despite denouncing the anti-police rhetoric as nonsensical, records reveal that Newsom's administration has funded programs aimed at reducing police involvement in certain public services.
On March 6, during a podcast interview with Charlie Kirk, Governor Gavin Newsom (D-CA) labeled the anti-police movement of 2020 as sheer "lunacy." This statement positioned him firmly against widespread calls during that period for major changes in policing across the United States.
However, scrutiny by the Washington Examiner into the financial allocations under Newsom's administration tells a different story.
An investigation revealed that millions of dollars have flowed into initiatives under the "Community Response Initiative to Strengthen Emergency Systems Grant Pilot Program," designed to curb police engagement, especially in non-emergent situations.
This state-funded program was significantly influenced by a strong anti-police organization advocating for systemic changes within law enforcement's role in community interactions.
The program champions alternatives to police responses particularly in scenarios involving mental health or domestic crises.
The pivotal legislation enabling these grants, AB-118, was passed in October 2021. Governor Newsom had vetoed an earlier version of the bill in 2020, demonstrating some hesitation before endorsing this transformative approach.
The grants specifically target diverse and vulnerable populations such as the unhoused, Latinx/Hispanic communities, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people facing behavioral health crises. These initiatives aim to fortify community resources, enabling more specialized responses instead of traditional law enforcement intervention.
A description of the awarded grants outlines an intention to "interrupt and eliminate the need for law enforcement in mental health crisis first response," particularly highlighting the MH First program run by APTP, a non-profit organization with a clear anti-police agenda.
The grants which began disbursing in late 2023 are set to continue until April 2026, targeting multiple counties including Oakland, Marin, Sacramento, and Santa Cruz. This broad scope suggests a significant commitment to redefining emergency response across the state.
In defense of the funding strategies, a spokeswoman for Newsom's office insisted the grants were intended to supplement police efforts. She stated that by reducing the demand for officers for non-criminal crises, they can better focus on areas of public safety that require traditional policing.
Despite these assurances, some critics argue that the governor's actions could be seen as undermining the police's role, especially with violent crime in California showing a slight increase of 1.7% from 2022 to 2023.
This has sparked a debate on the efficacy and timing of such reforms, considering Newsom's potential ambitions for a presidential run in 2028.
In addition to his views on policing, Governor Newsom also sparked further controversy during the same interview by discussing cultural and social topics.
He voiced his disagreement with the use of the term "Latinx" and criticized the participation of biological men who identify as women in women's sports, pointing to a broader societal debate.
The spectacle of Governor Newsom's evolving political posture suggests a strategy that might be aligned more towards the center, possibly in preparation for an upcoming presidential campaign. This strategic pivot raises questions about the complexities of policy-making and political positioning in the constantly shifting landscape of American politics.