Vivek Ramaswamy, a former presidential candidate and co-founder of the Right to Prosperity, made a striking comparison between California Governor Gavin Newsom and former Alabama Governor George Wallace on Fox News’ Jesse Watters Primetime. Ramaswamy argued that Newsom’s recent resistance to federal actions, particularly regarding the deployment of the National Guard to respond to Los Angeles riots, mirrors Wallace’s well-documented defiance against federal desegregation efforts in the 1960s.
The comparison centers on both politicians’ perceived resistance to federal authority and their alignment with what Ramaswamy describes as a ‘Democrat-governor playbook.’ Wallace, a segregationist who ran for president four times, famously stood in the way of the federal government’s attempt to desegregate the University of Alabama in 1963. Ramaswamy noted that Wallace’s actions led to the federal deployment of the National Guard under President John F. Kennedy, a moment that became emblematic of his political career.
Ramaswamy drew a direct line between Wallace’s historical defiance and Newsom’s current stance, arguing that both have resisted federal mandates by supporting policies that shield certain groups from federal oversight. ‘Gavin Newsom’s presidential ambitions are going to end in the same place that George Wallace’s did: In the dustbin of history where it belongs,’ Ramaswamy warned.
Newsom’s recent objections to President Donald Trump’s federalization of the National Guard, which led to the deployment of 700 Marines to Los Angeles, have further intensified the comparison. While Newsom criticized Trump’s approach, he also faced backlash for his handling of the riots, including criticism from prominent figures like actor Jon Voight, who called Newsom’s strategy dangerously naive.
The comparison highlights the broader ideological divide between states’ rights advocates and federal enforcement, a tension that has long characterized American politics. As Newsom continues to navigate the political landscape, the historical parallels drawn by Ramaswamy underscore the high-stakes nature of his decisions and their potential long-term implications.