Gavin Newsom vowed to provide Californians “an alternative to the corruption and incompetence in the White House” as he was sworn in as California governor on Monday.
In his inaugural speech in Sacramento, Newsom outlined his vision for his time in office, arguing that Washington opposed California’s values and asserting that “our government will be progressive, principled and always on the side of the people.”
“It is up to us to renew the California dream for a new generation. And now more than ever, it is up to us to defend it,” Newsom said, per the San Francisco Chronicle. “But there is an administration in Washington clearly hostile to California’s values and California’s interests.”
“What we do today is even more consequential, because of what’s happening in our country,” Newsom said. “People’s lives, freedom, security, the water we drink, the air we breathe — they all hang in the balance. The country is watching us. The world is waiting on us.”
Newsom touched on several areas he hopes to tackle, including the homelessness in California and chronic hunger. He also addressed a “Marshall Plan” — a reference to the late 1940s program to help restore Europe after World War II — that would provide affordable housing, among other things.
“We will prepare for uncertain times ahead. We will be prudent stewards of taxpayer dollars, pay down debts and meet our future obligations,” Newsom said. “But let me be clear: We will be bold. We will aim high and we will work like hell to get there.”
Newsom previously served as California’s lieutenant general and succeeds former California Gov. Jerry Brown. Both Newsom and Brown are Democrats.
