President Donald Trump’s sweeping policy moves from hard-line immigration raids to budget cuts and redistricting drives are not only reshaping the U.S. political landscape but also giving several Democratic governors a powerful national platform.
California’s Gavin Newsom, Illinois’ JB Pritzker, and Maryland’s Wes Moore have used Trump’s actions to rally their party’s base, sharpen contrasts with the White House, and build their national profiles ahead of the 2028 presidential race.
Rising Voices Against Trump’s Agenda
Trump’s call for Republican-led states to redraw congressional maps, his intensified immigration enforcement in Democratic cities, and deep cuts to federal spending have all provoked sharp backlash. Democratic governors, particularly Newsom, Pritzker, and Moore, have transformed that opposition into political capital.
Newsom, who is openly weighing a 2028 bid, successfully championed a California ballot measure that could expand Democratic representation in Congress. His post-victory speech in Houston far from his home state was widely viewed as a signal of his national ambitions.
Pritzker, meanwhile, has positioned himself as a staunch defender of immigrant rights, signing legislation to limit federal arrests in schools and courthouses. He has also taken his message to New Hampshire and Minnesota, urging Democrats to show greater resolve against Trump.
Moore has attacked Trump’s efforts to slash federal food assistance and shrink the civil service. In response, he restored full SNAP benefits in Maryland and campaigned in swing states, portraying his actions as a direct stand against the administration’s agenda.
Democrats Seek a Counterweight
Following Kamala Harris’s defeat in last year’s presidential election and the Republican takeover of Congress, Democrats are eager for fresh leadership. Strategists say the governors’ assertive opposition to Trump resonates with voters who want their leaders to “put a check on Trump.”
“Newsom’s decision to essentially kick off his 2028 campaign in Houston demonstrated the kind of strategic energy Democrats need nationally,” said Mike Doyle, chair of the Harris County Democratic Party. Pollster Cornell Belcher compared their rise to Barack Obama’s emergence during the George W. Bush era, when opposition to the Iraq war fuelled his ascent.
Social Media and Political Strategy
Trump has fired back, mocking Newsom as “Newscum,” branding Pritzker “crazy,” and accusing Moore of mismanaging crime. The Republican National Committee dismissed the governors as “out of touch,” while Democrats see their defiance as essential.
Among them, Newsom has leveraged social media most effectively, trolling Trump with viral posts and strategic appearances. He has taken his message from South Carolina to Brazil, where he criticised Trump’s absence from global climate talks.
Pritzker and Moore are following suit, building visibility through speeches at key Democratic events across swing states. Moore has also launched his own redistricting effort in Maryland a direct challenge to Trump’s campaign to reshape electoral maps.
Looking Ahead to 2028
A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll showed 64% of Democrats hold a favourable view of Newsom, while Pritzker and Moore remain less known nationally. Still, their growing prominence positions them as leading figures in a party searching for direction and leadership in a Trump-dominated political era.
As the 2028 race quietly begins to take shape, these governors appear determined to define their party’s future not by avoiding confrontation, but by standing squarely against Trump’s influence.
(with inputs from Reuters)
