California’s new governor, Gavin Newsom, said Saturday night after taking the oath of office that he was out of the state for a week because he needed a break.
The Democrat was giving a commencement address at UC Davis before he left on a book tour.
“I need a week’s break before we go on a book tour, and so we’re going to be here until Thursday,” he said.
“We’re in Bakersfield, they have been wonderful, they really want to open their arms and make themselves warm and accessible to new immigrants and new residents. They’re really eager to help us with this transition.”
Gov. Gavin Newsom will tour the Southwest before addressing a law school commencement in Westwood (at 10 a.m. PST) from here. Live: https://t.co/TYmr3vADur #TeamLabor pic.twitter.com/JdKQgLQfNH — Vote Decide CA (@VoteDecideCA) January 13, 2019
California crime and police concerns:
Here’s my letter to the @UCSB community on gun violence and the need for thoughtful gun reform: https://t.co/pTEmE2plxK pic.twitter.com/asXZ7sBgAS — Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) January 6, 2019
“We wanted to have a bit of respite from this brutal news cycle and to be on campus and get this commencement speech,” he said, adding that he would return to office Monday morning.
As the new governor, he signed Governor’s Orders appointing former Labor Secretary Labor from 1998-2001 Alexander Acosta as Secretary of Labor and Leon Panetta as Secretary of Homeland Security.
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On Sunday, Newsom’s office confirmed he will not take part in Super Bowl LIII festivities in Atlanta.
“While Gov. Newsom is interested in hosting a Super Bowl 50-style party in his own backyard, he is unable to commit to another full week in Georgia,” the governor’s communications director Nathan Click said in a statement.
“Given the timing of his signing of an emergency proclamation to assist the communities of California impacted by the devastating fires in Napa and Sonoma counties, it’s not appropriate for him to visit Atlanta in the midst of an ongoing disaster.”
“In the days and weeks ahead, Gov. Newsom will discuss details of his trip to the United States and the NFL.”
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