The gas-price war between Washington and Sacramento is escalating. President Trump is sharply criticizing Gov. Gavin Newsom over California's pump prices — among the highest in the nation — blaming state taxes, refinery closures, and restrictions on new refining capacity.
In an interview with The California Post, Trump said he is exploring a federal cap on California's state fuel tax of roughly 71 cents per gallon. His allies argue it could bring prices down sharply from current levels; the national average sits far below California's.
Newsom's camp counters that global forces drive prices — pointing to Trump's Iran conflict, which the governor claims costs Americans $1.5 billion a week at the pump. Newsom also moved to allow winter-blend gasoline early to ease prices.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright sided with Trump, accusing California of having "strangled its own oil and gas production" and calling Newsom's remarks "either ignorant or insincere." Newsom shot back that reviving shuttered pipelines "won't even cut prices."
What to watch next: whether Trump acts on the tax-cap idea — and whether winter-blend fuel brings relief.