Staff Reports
California Governor Gavin Newsom recently pulled a fast one by opting out of a photo op event intended to commemorate federal debris removal efforts following devastating wildfires. The event was set to take place in Pacific Palisades, but instead, Newsom decided to grace Altadena with his presence. The timing raised eyebrows, especially after details emerged about how the American flag was being used—on some shiny backhoes, no less. Ah, the sweet scent of political theatrics wafting through the air!
The plot thickened when Joel Pollak, a senior editor for Breitbart and an unfortunate Southern Californian, caught wind of Newsom’s plans. Pollak reported that the governor intended to take credit for a federal operation that was, in reality, all about President Trump’s administration. The irony of Newsom aiming to bask in the limelight after a federal initiative sparked questions about his own state’s lack of preparation for the wildfires. Residents may not be ready to hand out gold stars for a job well done, especially given the heavy scrutiny on California’s fire management.
This is an Army Corps of Engineer-led event with local & state officials participating. The Fed Gov is lead. Our office didn't stage anything or hang these flags.
We’re grateful to our federal partners, including @POTUS, for making this record-breaking debris removal possible. https://t.co/9UwOYkyp9j
— Governor Newsom Press Office (@GovPressOffice) February 11, 2025
Photographs from the event showcased pristine construction equipment adorned with both the American flag and the California standard, as if someone had just finished buffing them to a shine. In classic Newsom style, he avoided the camera where the flags could have been scrutinized, opting instead for Altadena, a spot also suffering from wildfire damage but apparently less likely to point fingers at his failures. The shiny machinery and clean streets stood in stark contrast to the devastation all around, almost like a scene staged for a Hollywood blockbuster.
He brayed about how swiftly cleanup was occurring, claiming this unprecedented speed was a coordinated effort among local and state officials. Newsom’s soapbox speeches must be effective if he thinks the public is buying that exaggerated pitch. The suggestion that all these efforts were synchronized in harmony, like a bad musical, is hard to swallow when everyone knows he skipped out on the scene to avoid the farm animals—there’s only so much theatrics one can bathe in before it becomes obvious.
Then the cherry on top: the display of the flags themselves. One of the basic tenets of American flag respect is that it should never touch the ground. Still, Governor Newsom’s crew seemed to have missed that memo completely. With flags strapped to backhoes, it’s almost as if they were baiting an eagle to swoop down and express its displeasure at the disrespect. For a state that prides itself on its progressive values, even the most casual observer must raise an eyebrow at the juxtaposition of patriotism and the disdainful treatment of its emblem.
For those looking ahead, Newsom’s media spin makes one ponder what his 2028 presidential aspirations might look like following such a misstep. If his handlers thought a Hollywood-style setup in front of shiny equipment could mask the state’s real struggles, they might want to rethink their strategy. Whether he’s going for the “man of the people” role or just another coastal elite, it’s clear this performance might have done more harm than good. Perhaps this little mess will remind conservatives nationwide that images often speak louder than words—especially when somewhat cleaned up construction equipment bears the flag.
