Gavin Newsom says he ‘doesn’t like’ Hunter Biden profiting from family connections, but derides Republican impeachment inquiry into Joe Biden as ‘student government’
- California governor says voters have ‘right to be concerned about Biden’ but he is a ‘seasoned professional’
- Newsom says Kamala Harris will “absolutely” be Biden’s running mate in 2024
Gavin Newsom, California’s Democratic governor, says he “doesn’t like” what he’s heard about Hunter Biden benefiting from his father’s position.
But he criticized Republicans’ efforts to impeach Joe Biden as a “joke” and a form of “student government.”
He also said that “voters have every right to be concerned about the president’s age,” but added, “I want a seasoned professional who knows how to get things done.”
In an interview with CNN, Newsom, 55, also unequivocally expressed her support for Kamala Harris and said she should “absolutely” be Biden’s running mate again in 2024.
His statements came as a CBS News/YouGov poll found that only a third of voters believe Biden, 80, would serve a second term and with former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi showing no clear support for Harris offered.
Gavin Newsom said Biden and Harris would be the Democratic ticket in 2024
Biden is facing an impeachment inquiry launched by Republicans who investigated his son Hunter’s foreign dealings in countries including China and Ukraine while his father was vice president.
Newsom said, “I don’t know enough about the details of it.” I mean, I’ve seen a little bit of it. If that’s the new criteria, there are a lot of people in a lot of industries, not just politics, where people have family members and connections and trying to play a little bit, gain a little influence and benefit from it is hardly unique in that respect.
“I don’t love this any more than you love it or other people, I imagine, love this. We want to see a lot less of that.”
But he added: “An impeachment inquiry? Give me a break. This is student government. This is a joke. Ready, fire, aim. I mean, this is a perversity to what the Founding Fathers ever imagined and imagined. So if that’s the best they can do, give me a break.’
A potential Newsom 2024 run has become a focus for Democrats, who worry about Biden’s advanced age and poor poll numbers.
President Joe Biden and California Gov. Gavin Newsom in San Francisco in June
Kamala Harris will “absolutely” be Joe Biden’s running mate, Newsom said
The California governor recently raised his profile by appearing in other states, taking an official trip to China and agreeing to debate 2024 Republican nominee Ron DeSantis.
But when Newsom himself ran in 2024, he said, “The answer is no.” No ambiguity. I’m not that guy. That’s just not who I am.’
He also said Harris should “of course” remain on the ticket.
“The Biden-Harris administration … a masterclass in performance, bipartisan agreements on infrastructure, bipartisan agreements on weapons and the debt ceiling, on CHIPS and the science law,” he said.
“She can claim and attribute much of that success to herself.” The answer is absolute.”
He added that Democrats should stop “speculating about Joe Biden” and “get going.”
“Let’s get on the train.” “This train has left the proverbial station,” Newsom said.