KQED's The California Report Gov. Newsom Weighs in on Foreign Policy to Build National Profile
Mar 24, 2026
Marisa Lagos, KQED politics correspondent who tracks California politics and national positioning, and Mark Betancourt, immigration reporter for The California Newsroom, discuss Gavin Newsom’s push into foreign policy to raise his national profile. They also cover ICE arrests of relatives at ORR appointments and documents suggesting a formal operation. Short takes on political risks and legal concerns follow.
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Newsom Uses Foreign Policy To Build A National Profile
- Gavin Newsom is deliberately shifting from state to national issues by speaking about foreign policy and traveling abroad.
- Lagos recounts his trips to Davos, China, Brazil UN climate events and Munich to show how he's building a national profile.
Reframe Your Identity When Moving To National Politics
- Politicians repositioning for national office should reframe who they are rather than become someone new.
- Dane Strother explains Newsom will 'explain who you are in a different way' as he moves from governor to national figure.
California Positions May Be A Political Minefield
- Expanding into national foreign policy carries electoral risks because California positions can feel out-of-step with the national electorate.
- Liz Mayer warns 'Everybody in the country thinks that California is so far off in left field.'