California Governor Gavin Newsom recently faced questions about whether children are too young for transgender surgery, yet he held back from providing a definitive response. On a podcast with former Navy SEAL Sean Ryan, Newsom acknowledged it as a significant issue for Democrats but didn’t delve into his personal views. In a rather perplexing moment, he remarked, “Yeah, I’m just nine now, I’m nine, a man, a man,” when asked about the treatment of an 8-year-old.
Jamie Reid, who identifies as a Democrat and has raised concerns about a transgender clinic, expressed disappointment in Newsom’s vague answers during his appearance on “Fox & Friends.” Reid pointed out that Newsom’s inability to respond to straightforward scientific queries is particularly frustrating. “He doesn’t answer questions,” Reid said. “And honestly, as a lifelong Democrat, I’m quite disheartened that someone who aspires to lead the party isn’t clear on these essential issues.”
During the podcast, Newsom mentioned that the discussion surrounding transgender surgeries for minors is crucial for the upcoming 2024 election and could potentially affect Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign. Reid noted that Newsom’s reluctance to clarify his stance might stem from a broader ignorance on contentious health matters. “He tries to dodge questions because right now, the best approach for Democrats seems to be starting with an apology for past mistakes,” she explained. “We messed this up. It hurt our kids and families. Sorry.”
The debate surrounding transgender treatment for minors has been contentious, particularly between California and the Trump administration. California Attorney General Rob Bonta reiterated the need to continue providing gender treatments, including hormone therapy and surgeries for transgender youth, despite federal attempts to halt such care.
Reid criticized Newsom for downplaying the seriousness of the issue and questioned how he could consider a presidential run without fully comprehending the impact of these policies on families in his state. In 2022, Newsom had positioned California as a sanctuary for families pursuing treatment for minors, signing legislation in response to other states, like Tennessee, that sought to prohibit it.
