Trump And Newsom Team Up On What?
President Donald Trump and California Governor Gavin Newsom are finding rare common ground — and the target is the California Coastal Commission, an agency many see as the poster child for liberal government overreach.
This powerful body controls over 1,100 miles of California coastline, and it’s now under fire for blocking development, delaying wildfire recovery, and stifling job-creating innovation.
Trump Adviser: ‘Defund the Coastal Commission’
Ric Grenell, a top adviser to Donald Trump, didn’t mince words last month. He called for the California Coastal Commission to be defunded immediately, slamming its bureaucratic delays and anti-growth agenda.
“We are going to have strings on the money that we give to California,” Grenell added, referring to wildfire recovery funds. “No more free rides for Sacramento.”
Even Gavin Newsom Says ‘I’m With Elon’
In a surprising twist, Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat up for re-election in 2026, publicly sided with Elon Musk after the Coastal Commission blocked a SpaceX launch expansion at Vandenberg Space Force Base.
“I’m with Elon,” Newsom told Politico. “I didn’t like that.”
Musk later sued the commission, accusing it of political discrimination after commissioners allegedly cited his support for Trump as a reason for rejecting the proposal. Newsom acknowledged the political bias, saying, “You can’t bring up that explicit level of politics.”
Newsom Issues Emergency Order to Cut Red Tape
In January, as California wildfires devastated communities, Newsom issued an executive order targeting the very agency he once defended. The order temporarily suspended Coastal Commission permitting requirements for property owners in fire-ravaged Los Angeles and Ventura Counties.
Newsom criticized the commission for adding unnecessary local approval procedures that slowed recovery efforts. For many Californians, this was a rare moment of truth from a Democrat long seen as tied to environmental extremism.
Trump: ‘I’ll Override the Coastal Commission’
During a wildfire forum in Los Angeles, President Trump spoke directly to victims and property owners held back by the agency’s red tape.
“I’ve been dealing with the Coastal Commission for years,” Trump said. “They have a reputation for being the toughest bureaucracy in the country. We can’t let them stall people for a decade just to get a permit. I’m prepared to step in and take control if necessary.”
His message was clear: Americans come first — not unelected bureaucrats.
Democrats Defend the Bureaucracy
Not everyone is on board with reining in the commission.
Rep. Laura Friedman (D-CA) defended the agency, claiming it helps “protect beach access” and keeps billionaires like Musk in check. Sen. Adam Schiff chimed in too, accusing Republicans of hypocrisy on states’ rights — all while ignoring the urgent needs of California wildfire victims.
The Bottom Line: Bureaucracy vs. Common Sense
For many Americans — especially those in fire-prone regions — the California Coastal Commission represents a bloated, outdated bureaucracy that puts political agendas ahead of families, freedom, and recovery.
Whether it’s blocking SpaceX innovation, delaying wildfire recovery, or targeting those who support President Trump, this agency’s actions are raising serious questions about the future of property rights, states’ rights, and coastal development in California.
