California Energy Policies Called ‘National Security Threat’

A speaker addressing a crowd at a political rally with signs in the background

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum exposed California Governor Gavin Newsom’s disastrous energy policies as a “national security threat” that has Californians paying double the national average for gas while politicians blame President Trump for their own failures.

Story Snapshot

Burgum slammed California’s 60% reliance on foreign oil imports from countries like Iraq as a direct security risk caused by state policies
California refineries plummeted from 40 to just nine, with two more fleeing to Texas, driving gas prices to nearly double those in energy-friendly states
Trump’s “energy dominance” policies have pushed national gas prices below $3 per gallon while blue-state regulations skew regional costs dramatically higher
Newsom’s spokesman deflected responsibility despite California’s self-inflicted refinery exodus and regulatory stranglehold on domestic production

California’s Self-Inflicted Energy Crisis

Doug Burgum delivered a scathing assessment of California’s energy disaster during an exclusive Fox News Digital interview, identifying the state’s massive dependence on imported foreign oil as a national security vulnerability. California now imports over 60% of its oil from countries like Iraq while maintaining the nation’s largest fleet of internal combustion vehicles. The state has hemorrhaged refineries, dropping from 40 facilities historically to just nine operational today, with two more closing and relocating to business-friendly Texas. This exodus directly correlates with California drivers paying nearly double what residents in Houston or North Dakota pay at the pump.

Trump’s Energy Dominance Versus Blue-State Obstruction

President Trump’s declaration of an “energy emergency” on Day One of his second term has driven national gas prices below $3 per gallon through expanded domestic production on public lands. Burgum and Energy Secretary Chris Wright have toured sites like the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to unlock American energy potential. The Interior Secretary emphasized that policies drive pricing, and politicians drive policies, crediting Trump with bringing down costs nationwide. Meanwhile, Democratic governors like Newsom continue blocking pipelines and imposing punitive regulations that force states like California, Illinois, and Washington to maintain the nation’s highest gas taxes and consumer prices.

Newsom’s Failed Defense and Regulatory Failures

Newsom’s spokesman Anthony Martinez attempted to rebut Burgum’s criticism by citing state laws like SB X1-2 and AB X2-1, claiming they provided price oversight and prevented spikes in 2024-2025. However, these legislative band-aids do nothing to address California’s fundamental problem: environmental regulations and local opposition have systematically destroyed the state’s refining capacity. While Newsom defends his approach, California drivers continue suffering under price gouging that his own policies created. The governor also opposes Trump’s offshore drilling initiatives that could eventually increase domestic supply, revealing his commitment to ideology over affordability for working families.

National Security Implications of Foreign Energy Dependence

Burgum’s warning extends beyond consumer costs to genuine national security concerns. As California refineries vanish, the state faces potential reliance on foreign gasoline imports, not just crude oil. This vulnerability mirrors New England’s 2018 crisis when a cold snap forced the region to import Russian natural gas because Pennsylvania pipeline projects had been blocked by environmental activists. Energy-rich states like Pennsylvania, North Dakota, and Alaska demonstrate what’s possible when government enables rather than obstructs domestic production. The contrast underscores how blue-state politicians sacrifice both national security and their constituents’ economic wellbeing to advance climate agendas that drive energy infrastructure to red states like Texas and Oklahoma.

Political Fallout and Election-Year Energy Battles

This confrontation arrives as affordability dominates 2026 off-year election debates, with states like Virginia highlighting energy costs as kitchen-table issues. While Trump’s policies have delivered record U.S. oil production and sub-$3 gas nationally, Democratic governors blame federal tariffs or other external factors for their own regulatory disasters. The Newsom-Trump feud extends beyond energy to wildfire aid disputes and offshore drilling opposition, with bipartisan resistance emerging even from Florida Republicans. Yet the facts remain clear: states embracing energy development offer their residents dramatically lower costs, while California’s war on fossil fuels leaves its citizens paying the price at the pump for politicians’ virtue signaling.