Victor Davis Hanson on LA: Gavin Newsom Has ‘Ruined His Chances Ever to be a Serious National Candidate’ (VIDEO) |

Victor Davis Hanson Critiques Newsom Amid LA Turmoil

In a recent video, conservative scholar and historian Victor Davis Hanson addressed the escalating situation in Los Angeles, particularly in the context of Governor Gavin Newsom’s political future.

Hanson wasted no time in asserting that Newsom has effectively sabotaged any prospects of emerging as a serious contender on the national stage. If there was any doubt regarding his leadership capabilities following the mishandling of wildfires, recent events have certainly cemented that notion.

Broadly commenting on the situation, Hanson suggests that the current optics spell impending trouble for the Democratic Party.

Here’s a brief excerpt from The Daily Signal:

Hello, this is Victor Davis Hanson for The Daily Signal. This past weekend, Los Angeles witnessed riots against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as they sought to detain illegal immigrants and those employing them.

Initially, the demonstrations were relatively small, but they quickly escalated into violence characterized by rock-throwing, car torching, vandalism of government property, and assaults on law enforcement officials.

Interestingly, Mayor Karen Bass publicly aligned herself with the demonstrators opposing the idea of deportation, reminiscent of former Vice President Kamala Harris’s past actions against deportation policies.

Meanwhile, Governor Newsom’s subsequent remarks about the situation, labeling it as “chaotic” and “reckless,” have, in Hanson’s view, irreparably damaged his chances as a serious national candidate. He criticized the enforcement of deportation as an “arbitrary quota,” which only adds to the confusion.

Hanson points out a significant contradiction in the actions of these protesters: waving the Mexican flag while committing acts of violence against a nation whose laws they are ostensibly trying to remain within. He advises that this imagery is detrimental to the optics—particularly for Democrats and immigration activists—who are trying to advocate for reform.

Consider this paradox: “I proudly wave the flag of the country I refuse to return to, while simultaneously attacking the very infrastructure of the country I desperately wish to stay in.”

Watch the video below:

Victor Davis Hanson: Gavin Newsom’s ‘Reckless’ Surrender of LA to Foreign National Riots

Los Angeles erupted in riots over ICE deportations this weekend—and Gov. Gavin Newsom called enforcing law and order “reckless.” @VDHanson breaks down the staggering hypocrisy from… pic.twitter.com/pk01Hc9isu

— The Daily Signal (@DailySignal) June 9, 2025

The Democratic Party appears to be in a state of denial, once again choosing to align with the minority perspective on an issue that is overwhelmingly viewed differently by the public. They have opted for the 20% side of an 80-20 issue, a strategic miscalculation that could have lasting repercussions.