Rep. Cisneros Addresses California Candidates’ Focus on Trump

During a segment on CNN News Central, Representative Gil Cisneros (D-Calif.) was asked whether gubernatorial candidates in California were overly focused on President Donald Trump, rather than tackling state issues. He remarked, “The president is causing us a lot of problems right now,” attributing rising costs to Trump’s actions. “So, it’s the president’s fault, and we should challenge him.”

Co-host Sarah Sydner noted that California has had a Democratic majority since 2008, which is nearly 20 years. She questioned whether the candidates were being somewhat complacent by frequently mentioning Trump instead of acknowledging the unique issues faced by California under Democratic leadership and attempting to address those challenges.

Cisneros reiterated that the president’s actions significantly impact issues like gas prices, citing the situation in the Middle East and Trump’s tariffs as key factors. He shared an anecdote about a small business he visited, where the owner pointed out that rising costs due to tariffs were discouraging customers. “So these actions are driven by the president,” he concluded, affirming that candidates had the right to hold him accountable.

Sydner then inquired if Democrats had been inactive on critical matters such as homelessness and the state budget deficit, noting that California shifted from a surplus to being in the red.

Cisneros stated that the state government should constantly strive for improvement. He emphasized that while California is still the world’s fourth-largest economy, there is certainly room for better handling of homelessness by providing shelters and necessary treatment for issues like addiction. However, he maintained that escalating healthcare costs and rising prices are largely due to the current administration, impacting not just California but the nation as a whole.