- California Governor Gavin Newsom spoke on Planned Parenthood after a SCOTUS leak threatened abortion rights.
- “Where the hell is my party?” he questioned fellow Democrats about him, saying that conservative causes are “winning.”
- Newsom has vowed to make California a “sanctuary” for abortion rights if Roe v. Wade.
California Governor Gavin Newsom criticized his own party for what he said was a lackluster response to the Supreme Court’s leaked draft opinion that overturned Roe v. Wade in comments made Wednesday.
“Where the hell is my party? Where is the Democratic Party?” Democratic governor said to assembled press and pro-choice supporters at a Planned Parenthood office in Los Angeles.
In his speech, he called conservative advances in the culture wars a “concerted and coordinated effort” that the left is failing to counter effectively. He cited draconian abortion and education laws in Texas and Florida as examples, Fox News reported.
“Why don’t we stand up more firmly, more resolutely?” he continued. “Why don’t we call this out? This is a concerted and coordinated effort and yes, they are winning. They are. They have been. Let’s acknowledge that. We need to stand up. Where is the counteroffensive?”
His speech echoed the protests that formed outside the Supreme Court shortly after Monday’s leaked draft opinion was released, with people chanting, “Democrats, do something!” Politico reported.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer spoke out shortly after the leak, calling the draft opinion an “abomination” and one of the “worst and most damaging decisions of modern history.”
But attempts to codify Roe v. Wade on the US bill would likely be filibustered by Republicans, as Insider’s Brent D. Grffiths reported. A nationwide constitutional amendment is also extremely rare in US history, as Insider’s Dave Levinthal reported.
In his speech Wednesday, Newsom showed particular anger at Fox News host Tucker Carlson and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, as well as Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin, who said Tuesday he would not end filibuster to codify Roe v . Wade.
Newsom promised to make California an abortion “sanctuary,” a promise he repeated after the leak by saying he would introduce a state constitutional amendment protecting reproductive rights.
“We will present that to voters this November as an affirmative step in codifying California leadership,” he said Wednesday.
“Pay attention, America. They will come after you next,” he said. “That’s not hyperbole. That’s not hyperbole. Watch this space if privacy is not constitutionally protected, this opens up a panoply of problems. So this is a profound moment. And yes, we are not going to be defeated.”