Gavin Newsom Team’s Swipe at Trump Over Iran and Gas Prices Draws Sharp Rebuttal From U.S. Oil Group

A social media post from the office of California Gov. Gavin Newsom criticizing President Donald Trump following U.S. military action against Iran drew a pointed response from the U.S. Oil and Gas Association, which highlighted California’s reliance on foreign crude imports, as reported by The Gateway Pundit.

Over the weekend, the United States and Israel launched “Operation Epic Fury” against Iran.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was eliminated in a joint military operation conducted by Israel and the United States. At least 40 other senior Iranian regime leaders were also killed in the strikes.

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Several Democrats publicly condemned the operation, including Newsom.

Following the bombing, Newsom’s team posted a message criticizing the President over energy markets while promoting California’s gasoline prices.

“Average gas prices in California have stayed below $5 for nearly two years,” the post reads. “Trump’s new war is already rattling markets.”

“We’re watching this space. Closely.”

Average gas prices in California have stayed below $5 for nearly two years.

Trump’s new war is already rattling markets.

We’re watching this space. Closely.

— Governor Newsom Press Office (@GovPressOffice) February 28, 2026

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The U.S. Oil and Gas Association responded directly to the post, disputing the premise and drawing attention to California’s oil sourcing practices.

In its reply, the organization criticized the staffer managing the governor’s account and provided statistics regarding the state’s petroleum imports.

“Time to school the Pajama Boy who runs this account for the Gov – because this isn’t the flex on Trump he thinks it is….”

Time to school the Pajama Boy who runs this account for the Gov – because this isn’t the flex on Trump he thinks it is….

California imports 63% of is crude from foreign countries – despite sitting on at least 1.7 billion barrels of proven reserves.

According to the… https://t.co/G1azkrBPtp

— US Oil & Gas Association (@US_OGA) March 1, 2026

The association stated that California imports 63% of its crude oil from foreign countries while possessing significant proven reserves.

“California imports 63% of its crude from foreign countries – despite sitting on at least 1.7 billion barrels of proven reserves.”

Citing the California Energy Commission, the group detailed the typical breakdown of foreign-sourced crude supplied to California refineries:

“Iraq: ~21%
Brazil: ~20%
Guyana: ~16%.
Ecuador: ~14%.
Colombia: ~6%
Canada: ~4%
Mexico: ~4%
United Arab Emirates (UAE): ~2%.
Others like Saudi Arabia will total the rest of the 100% foreign share.”

The association concluded its post by arguing that California’s dependence on foreign oil makes it particularly sensitive to global market fluctuations.

“The only state worried about rattling foreign markets is California because you have let yourselves become dependent on foreign supplies.

You’ve done this to yourselves.”

The exchange comes amid heightened global tensions following the joint U.S.-Israel operation targeting Iranian leadership. Energy markets have reacted to developments in the region, and political leaders across the country have weighed in on the potential economic implications.

California remains one of the largest gasoline markets in the country, and its fuel prices have historically exceeded the national average. The state also maintains environmental regulations and refinery standards distinct from many other states.

The online back-and-forth highlights ongoing political divisions over energy production, foreign policy, and domestic fuel costs as developments in the Middle East continue to unfold.

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