Newsom Sets January Deadline for 2028 Decision at COP31

Newsom said he would spend the coming weeks with his family before deciding whether to seek the Democratic presidential nomination. He also characterized the midterm election results as a rebuke of President Donald Trump and said they created an obligation for Democrats to deliver.

At the conference, Newsom criticized Trump’s retreat from international climate agreements and promoted California’s environmental policies. He held talks with Brazil’s president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, on climate cooperation and finalized a climate agreement with Portugal, his office said.

Newsom and his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, toured a center for forestry training, sharing knowledge about wildfires. He also attended a gathering of governors and mayors organized by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres. According to Newsom’s office, the Trump administration left the summit without a delegation for the second year in a row.

The governor’s trip drew criticism from Democratic strategist Steve Maviglio, who contrasted the visit to Turkey with Gov.-elect Xavier Becerra’s work with lawmakers in Sacramento. Newsom’s press office also described him as “mobbed by press” at COP31, a portrayal that drew online mockery.

Federal investigators have sought information about donors and fundraisers connected to the Protocol Foundation, as well as Newsom’s international travel, events and expenses. Newsom has previously said he would not run if Vice President Kamala Harris entered the race, while describing a contest between them as mutually damaging.

Newsom Takes Climate Fight to COP31 as Trump Stays Away

With the Trump administration absent from COP31 for a second straight year, Newsom used the international gathering to defend climate cooperation and California’s environmental policies. He said he would decide by early January whether to pursue the presidency, after spending the coming weeks with his family.

Newsom’s work at the summit included talks with Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva about broadening climate cooperation and finalizing an agreement with Portugal. He and his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, toured a center for forestry training and shared knowledge about wildfires; he also joined governors and mayors at a meeting organized by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres.

Newsom called the midterm results a rebuke of Trump and said Democrats have an obligation to deliver. His international engagement put the consequences of the administration’s climate retreat in sharp relief: while Washington sent no delegation, state and local leaders gathered to pursue climate partnerships.

The trip also drew criticism from Democratic strategist Steve Maviglio, who said a governor should spend time working with the legislature rather than traveling to Turkey. Newsom’s press office said he was “mobbed by press” at the conference, prompting online ridicule. Federal investigators have sought information about foundation donors, Newsom’s travel and expenses.

Newsom’s COP31 Junket Doubles as a 2028 Campaign Tease

Newsom’s trip to a climate conference in Turkey gave the California governor a global platform to criticize President Trump—and another chance to keep his 2028 ambitions in view. He said he would make a decision on a presidential run by early January, after consulting with his family.

The visit included climate partnership talks with Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Portugal, a forestry training center visit, and a gathering with governors and mayors. But Democratic strategist Steve Maviglio questioned the priorities, contrasting Newsom’s Turkey trip with Gov.-elect Xavier Becerra’s efforts to work with lawmakers in Sacramento.

Newsom’s office cast him as “mobbed by press” at COP31, a description that drew mockery online. Critics also used the conference to attack his record as California governor. The trip’s image-making only sharpened the question of whether international climate events are serving the state or Newsom’s national profile.

Newsom has kept open the possibility of a presidential campaign while saying he would not run if Kamala Harris did. Federal investigators have sought details on donors and fundraisers tied to the Protocol Foundation, along with Newsom’s international travel, events and expenses. The Trump administration sent no delegation to COP31 for a second consecutive year.