Center for American Liberty Hands Gavin Newsom His Hind Parts Over Prior SCOTUS Losses

California Governor Gavin Newsom is in South Carolina to pregame his 2028 presidential run. Newsom is peacocking, cosplaying Obama-lite, and pretending he doesn't have a state in disarray. On Wednesday, the Trump administration filed a lawsuit against the state of California due to its insistence on violating Title IX protections for women and young girls, particularly in the area of allowing biological men posing as women to compete in women's and girls' sports.

It doesn't matter that the U.S. Department of Education has named the California Department of Education (CDE) or the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) in the lawsuit, but did not use Newsom's name. The policies he holds personally are the same held by the state, which supports these entities and their consistent refusal to protect women. Newsom knows full well he can do something about that, and it is his failure to speak out against these policies and demand adherence to federal law that is the reason the U.S. Department of Education is cutting off the state's funding.

However, the Governor's Press Office decided they needed to run interference.

Since a lot of folks on here have become legal experts in the last few hours, would point out the Governor is not named as a party in this lawsuit.

Actual facts: The California Department of Education (CDE) and CIF are both *independent* from the Newsom admin, and they are… https://t.co/otVixfMC9J
— Governor Newsom Press Office (@GovPressOffice) July 9, 2025

The full post reads:

Since a lot of folks on here have become legal experts in the last few hours, would point out the Governor is not named as a party in this lawsuit.
Actual facts: The California Department of Education (CDE) and CIF are both *independent* from the Newsom admin, and they are following existing state law — a law that was passed in 2013, signed by Governor Jerry Brown, and in line with 21 other states.
No court has adopted the interpretation of Title IX that is being advanced by the Trump Admin, and neither the Governor, nor they, get to wave a magic wand and override it –– unlike Donald Trump, California follows the law, not personal opinions.

'Sit Down': Gavin Newsom Steps on a Rake After ICE-Related Announcement From California Bishop

Go on and split that hair. Exactly who will be defending the State of California from this lawsuit by the Trump administration? Why, the Office of the Attorney General, which acts in concert with the governor. So, spare us this fact-check.

California GOP ate its Wheaties Wednesday morning, and asked an insightful and salient question: "How many times did the governor either lose at SCOTUS or abruptly and dramatically change his illegal, unilateral policies hours before pending litigation/rulings were issued in the last five years?"

If the talented and formidable Harmeet Dhillon, now head of the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, were not active in this current suit, she could have rattled off the many cases where she cleaned Newsom's clock and hung it out to dry. The fortunate thing: there are so many other legal arms that have sued the governor and the state (but I repeat myself) that the receipts are readily available. The Center for American Liberty - founded by Dhillon - had no fear in bringing them back into the light. The organization responded to the CA GOP post and created a thread outlining Newsom's failure theater in the court of law, particularly related to civil rights, and particularly before the United States Supreme Court. In both his terms in office, Newsom has spent, and continues to spend, huge amounts of taxpayer dollars fighting losing court battles.

Here's some of the lowlights.

Hi there! Happy to help with this one! It's going to be a thread through memory lane for those spinsters with short term memory loss. Here's a refresher for @GovPressOffice:

1st: TANDON v. NEWSOM - landmark case, Newsom lost at SCOTUS for violating 1A.https://t.co/62NO5IyMMV
— Center for American Liberty (@Liberty_Ctr) July 9, 2025

Tandon v. Newsom

At the height of the COVID hysteria, Governor "French Laundry" decided houses of worship needed to be shut down along with everyone else in the state except him and his children. The Center for American Liberty filed a lawsuit against California Governor Gavin Newsom and Santa Clara County Executive Jeffrey Smith on behalf of several plaintiffs, challenging the unconstitutional restrictions on religious and political gatherings, as well as people's ability to go out and earn a living.

In the name of stopping the spread of COVID-19, state and local officials closed churches and businesses, banned political events, and even prohibited individuals from hosting small gatherings in their homes. The emergency orders issued by the Governor, the California Department of Public Health, and Santa Clara County officials restrict the Plaintiffs’ First and Fourteenth Amendment rights to exercise their religion, engage in political speech, and earn a living.

On April 9, 2021, in a 5-4 SCOTUS decision, the plaintiffs were granted injunctive relief.

California is enjoined from enforcing COVID-19 restrictions on private gatherings as applied to applicants" at-home religious exercise, pending disposition of the appeal in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit and disposition of the petition for a writ of certiorari, if any.

This case was part of the domino effect for other cases brought against the state and federal government over COVID restrictions. Along with the French Laundry debacle, Newsom had massive egg on his face.

South Bay United Pentecostal Church v. Newsom

This case also occurred at the height of California COVID restrictions and the politically calculated phased reopening of the state. Center for American Liberty partnered with the Dhillon Law Group on this one. While restoration of the ability to attend worship was pushed to the back burner, strip clubs and liquor stores were allowed to reopen without question. This was another clear violation of the First Amendment rights of California citizens.

The Center for American Liberty in collaboration with the Dhillon Law Group and the South Bay United Pentecostal Church, filed a complaint for declaratory and injunctive relief.
As California moves into “Stage 2”, many retail and manufacturing locations are beginning to reopen. However, places of worship will not be allowed to reopen until “Stage 3”, which will likely not occur for months.
Worship is not frivolous entertainment; it is the first right protected in the First Amendment.

Thanks to the ruling in Tandon v. Newsom, SCOTUS sent the case back to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals to reconsider their ruling in light of the SCOTUS decision on Tandon. Another blow to Newsom.

Gish v. Newsom

Another religious liberty case that involved the Dhillon Law Group.

On April 13, 2020, Dhillon Law Group, in conjunction with the Center for American Liberty, filed a First Amendment lawsuit in Federal Court challenging the Governor’s criminalization of the free exercise of religion. The following day, a preliminary injunction seeking immediate relief for our clients was also filed. Dhillon Law Group represents two pastors in Riverside County, one pastor in San Bernardino County, and one church member in San Bernardino County.
“The religious liberties guaranteed by our Constitution are not negotiable. We must stand together against Governor Newsom’s abuse of power and the suppression of religious freedom in California.” — Harmeet Dhillon, CEO | Center for American Liberty

All this spouting off about "No Kings." Newsom has been playing at being King for eight years--why would he suddenly change just because he wants the presidency?

Newsom was once again slapped down by that first Tandon SCOTUS decision.

Application for injunctive relief granted on Feb. 8, 2021. The Dec. 11, 2020, order of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California is vacated, and the case is remanded for further consideration in light of South Bay United Pentecostal Church v. Newsom.

Newsom was 0 for 3 in the courts, and there were a number of other filings that came tumbling down because of Tandon. The Center for American Liberty will continue the thread because there is so much documented, especially during the period of COVID restrictions. The fact that the person who spearheaded the Title IX lawsuit against California is now the head of the Civil Rights Division and the attorney who was pivotal in many of these successful lawsuits against Newsom indicates that despite his usual bluster and gaslighting, Newsom and his press office are fighting a losing battle on the PR front and will lose once again in the court of law.

This is probably why Newsom is in South Carolina trying to change the narrative. As my colleague Ward Clark reported, he's not having much luck on that front either.

As it should be.

Help RedState continue to tell the truth about the Trump administration's accomplishments as we continue to usher in the Golden Era of America. Join RedState’s VIP and use promo code FIGHT to get 60% off your membership today.