Catholic Vote recently released “The Gavin Newsom Files” exposing the California governor’s “anti-Christian agenda for America.” While noting Newsom’s apparent presidential ambitions for the 2028 election, Catholic Vote cast doubt on any attempts by Newsom to cast himself as a moderate liberal Democrat speaking for all Americans. The statement remained critical of Newsom’s inaugural episode of his podcast, “This is Gavin Newsom,” where he interviewed conservative firebrand, Charlie Kirk. The choice of guest surprised many, given how politically opposite the two men are, but Catholic Vote painted the interview as a cynical attempt by Newsom to rebrand himself.

Catholic Vote was particularly critical of Newsom’s portrayal of himself as a “man of faith.” “Though raised as a Catholic, and still billing himself as such, Newsom has also called himself a ‘rebel’ in relation to the Church and clearly acknowledged his dissent from doctrine. He has also claimed to be a ‘practicing Catholic’ while engaging in outrageous and scandalous behavior, such as helping his own mother commit suicide,” wrote Catholic Vote, referring to a New Yorker article where Newsom described helping his mother euthanize herself during a battle with breast cancer. Catholic Vote also noted Newsom’s support for abortion, same-sex marriage, and gender-affirming care. “Most recently, we’ve seen Newsom side once again with the far left in his response to violent protests against U.S. immigration agents. Worse, he has excused the violence perpetrated by such protesters against members of the Los Angeles Police Department,” Catholic Vote warned.

Brandon Richards, a spokesperson for Newsom, dismissed the report to Fox News Digital. “We’re not taking seriously any organization co-founded by a political hack who has sworn allegiance to President Trump, called Pope Francis’ papacy a ruse, and justified cutting off U.S. foreign aid for the poor and hungry because he’d read some conspiracy theory about transgender mice experiments,” said Richards. Catholic Vote Vice President, Josh Mercer, stood by the report. “Americans have been shocked by the rioting and chaos in Los Angeles, but sadly, this reckless governance is all too common in Gavin Newsom’s California. As our new report, Newsom Files points out, the California governor refused to deal with vexing problems like drug dealers, shoplifters and the rampant homeless camps,” he said. “Instead, Gavin Newsom was busy dreaming of the White House and spending taxpayer funds to put up billboards in Oklahoma that quote the Bible and urge people to fly to California to get an abortion. With his wacky priorities, it’s no wonder people are fleeing California in droves.”