Gov. Gavin Newsom’s second inauguration ceremony kicked off with a ‘March for Democracy’ across Sacramento’s Tower Bridge and toward the California State Capitol to coincide with the second anniversary of the Jan. 6 riots at the U.S. Capitol.
The only issue? Newsom, who led the initial jaunt with his family, was whisked away from the march half-way and barred local reporters from asking questions.
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Go deeper: California’s Capitol press corps, often deferential to Newsom’s political stagecraft, decried the vanishing act by the Guv.
- “Governor’s press office and campaign largely focused on keeping the media away from this media stunt of a march to kick of Newsom’s second inaugural, including threats that we would be blocked from attending the speech,” tweeted CalMatters reporter Alexei Koseff.
- The move was pilloried by Capitol reporters, including television crews scanning via helicopter.
The big picture: Newsom, who publicly swore-off a 2024 bid for President after Democrats’ surprisingly strong showing nationally during the 2022 midterms, continued to leverage California’s liberal progress as a blueprint for the nation.
- The national implications of Newsom’s second term were on display with a protester flying a “Ron DeSantis for President 2024” sign mid-way through the ceremony.
