California Governor Gavin Newsom expressed strong criticism on Friday regarding President Trump’s announcement to resume nuclear weapons testing, calling it an “act of a weak man” and somewhat embarrassing.
In an interview with NBC News, Newsom remarked that Trump’s decision felt “staged” and drew a parallel to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. He emphasized that the testing would be managed by the Department of Energy rather than the Pentagon, which contradicted the president’s orders.
“This is weakness disguised as strength,” Newsom stated. “This is classic Trump. He’s historically weak, and these individuals are trying to appear strong.”
He described a recent private discussion about nuclear weapons with Trump as “soothing,” yet noted that the president seems to be “overcompensating” by reinstating weapons testing and lauding trade negotiations with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
“We need to ensure he doesn’t make serious mistakes, or we could find ourselves on a dangerous path,” Newsom cautioned. “This is genuinely unsettling to discuss. I just hope rational minds prevail because he appears confused about what his administration has been saying.”
On the same day, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth mentioned that the Department of Defense would collaborate with the relevant agency on the resumption of testing, a decision Trump had made earlier in the week.
In a post on his social media platform, Trump claimed that the United States possesses more nuclear weapons than any other nation and noted the renewal and refurbishment of existing arsenals during his administration. Although he admitted this decision was difficult due to the destructive power involved, he insisted it was necessary, especially with Russia and China’s nuclear capabilities growing.
Recently, Russia announced a successful test of a new nuclear-capable cruise missile, heightening international concern. The United States had halted nuclear testing in 1992 following the Soviet Union’s collapse and, four years later, signed the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.
Newsom joined House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries in denouncing Trump’s directive, with Jeffries labeling it a “serious violation of international treaties,” stating that Trump is “out of touch with reality.”
In contrast, House Speaker Mike Johnson showed support for the decision, calling it a necessary “deterrent.” He emphasized that the commander-in-chief’s objective is to ensure full readiness, claiming that strength is essential for maintaining global peace.
