CALIFORNIA February 28, 2026– California Governor Gavin Newsom has sharply criticized President Donald Trump’s decision to launch major military strikes against Iran, calling the operation an “illegal and dangerous war” that endangers American service members without proper justification to the public.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) late Friday, Newsom stated: “The corrupt and repressive Iranian regime must never have nuclear weapons. The leadership of Iran must go. But that does not justify the President of the United States engaging in an illegal, dangerous war that will risk the lives of our American service members and our friends without justification to the American people.
“President Trump is putting Americans at risk abroad because he is unpopular at home.”
The remarks came hours after Trump announced the start of “major combat operations” in Iran, a joint U.S.-Israel campaign dubbed “Operation Epic Fury.” The strikes targeted Iranian nuclear facilities, missile production sites, naval assets, and leadership compounds, with Trump explicitly calling for regime change and urging Iranians to “take over your government” once the operation concludes.
Newsom’s statement highlights deep partisan divisions in Washington over the operation, which proceeded without prior congressional authorization. Several Democratic lawmakers have described the action as an unauthorized act of war, while Trump administration officials maintain it was necessary to eliminate an imminent nuclear threat from Tehran.
California officials, including Newsom, have activated the State Threat Assessment Center to monitor for any potential domestic impacts, though no credible threats have been reported so far. The state is home to a large Iranian-American community, many of whom have expressed mixed reactions—relief at pressure on the regime but concern over escalating violence.
The strikes mark a significant escalation in U.S. policy toward Iran and have triggered Iranian retaliation, including missile attacks on U.S. bases in the region. International observers warn of the risk of a broader Middle East conflict.
Life News Agency will continue to provide updates as the situation develops.
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