California Gov. Gavin Newsom posted on X that “Congress is dead,” “MAGA has a king,” and “democracy in America is over” if Democrats do not win in November, quoting a clip of Sen. John Cornyn saying there is nothing Congress could do to rein in the president. The post has drawn widespread attention online, with many commenters focusing on Newsom’s governance record in California and questioning the remarks.
In the News Nation clip, Sen. John Cornyn speaks to reporters on Capitol Hill following a vote in the Senate Judiciary Committee. Cornyn says, “Well, there’s nothing we could do to, uh, rein in the president when he said he likes the [anti-weaponization] fund and wishes it still exists, but the fact of the matter is it’s dead, and that’s all we could do under the circumstances.” The video shows Cornyn addressing questions about the fund’s status; it does not show events before or after the exchange.
Newsom added the text: “Congress is dead. MAGA has a king. Republicans killed the Constitution. If we don’t win in November, democracy in America is over.” The remarks relate to the end of a proposed anti-weaponization fund tied to an IRS settlement, which cleared the path for advancing an attorney general nomination. These details come from the post and accompanying reporting; independent confirmation of broader implications remains limited to the available footage and statements.
Commenters Weigh In on the California Governor’s Remarks
Many users focused on Newsom’s record as California governor, writing comments such as “Gavin Newsom, always talking about Trump, never about California,” “Your shrill fear mongering won’t get you into the White House. Perhaps you should focus on the dumpster fire you have created in California,” and “Gavin destroyed California.”
Others shared images highlighting state issues under his leadership, including homelessness, taxes, and budget concerns, with one meme listing Newsom as “#1 in Homelessness,” “#1 in Poverty,” and “#1 in Budget Deficit” alongside the phrase “I Did That!”
A smaller share of replies addressed the Cornyn video directly or agreed with Newsom’s assessment of congressional limits. At the same time, some criticized Republican senators for the remarks shown in the clip, writing comments such as “[Expletive]. The world’s most ‘deliberative body’ is a [expletive] joke” and “I always thought dictatorships occurred because the authoritarian leader was cunning and evil… But now I know it’s because the people that let it happen were dumb and weak.”
The post and accompanying video continue to circulate on X amid ongoing discussions about congressional powers and the November elections. Online responses remain focused on the remarks and Newsom’s record in California.
