Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom nuked a left-wing law Wednesday that reportedly led to a major spike in sex trafficking crimes.
Signed by the governor in 2022, SB 357 decriminalized loitering with the intent to solicit or engage in prostitution. The bill, championed by left-wing state Sen. Scott Weiner of San Francisco, contributed to an explosion of sex trafficking and prostitution throughout the state, according to investigative journalist Abigail Shrier. Who would’ve thought… (Subscribe to MR. RIGHT, a free weekly newsletter about modern masculinity)
With his eyes potentially on the White House in 2028, Newsom knows he needs to shed some radical baggage from his tenure as governor. On Wednesday, he repealed his old law and signed a new one, AB 379, that restores misdemeanor penalties for loitering and creates harsher penalties for criminals who solicit sex from minors. Under the new law, adults who try to have sex with a 16- or 17-year-old will face a felony, unless they are within three years of the victim’s age.
“By signing this bill into law, California is again going on record to support survivors and victims of human trafficking, while penalizing those who solicit minors,” Newsom said Wednesday in a statement to The Sacramento Bee.
Newsom has been ramping up speculation that he will run in 2028. He has picked a high-profile fight with the Trump administration amid the Los Angeles riots in June, and even sued Fox News, an obvious ploy to win over Democratic base.
A top @realDonaldTrump ally handed me a Trump 2028 hat — these people aren’t joking.
If we don’t stop this anti-democracy movement now, the 2028 election may look nothing like what we expect in a free country.
— Governor Gavin Newsom (@CAgovernor) July 25, 2025
Earlier in July, the California governor went on a tour-day tour in rural South Carolina — what would be a key primary state, should he decide to run in the Democratic primary — speaking to residents and doing some good ol’ retail politics at local small businesses and coffee shops. After speaking alongside Newsom, South Carolina “kingmaker” Rep. James Clyburn said he “feels good” about a potential Newsom run.
CAMDEN, SOUTH CAROLINA – JULY 8: U.S. Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC) (L) gets a response after intimating that California Gov. Gavin Newsom (C, left) is campaigning for president at the Kershaw County Center on July 8, 2025 in Camden, South Carolina. The governor is on the first of a two-day tour of rural counties in South Carolina, hosted by the state Democratic Party. (Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images)
“It’s no secret,” Clyburn told reporters after the event. “I feel good about his [Newsom’s] chances.”
Newsom has also made himself more available on podcasts and social media, launching his own show earlier in 2025 where he has interviewed conservative guests, including Charlie Kirk and Steve Bannon.
