Operation Epic Fury, the joint U.S.-Israel airstrike that successfully targeted Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and top Islamic Republic officials, has been met with a wave of criticism from many within the Democratic Party. Detractors have not minced words, labeling the mission with terms like “illegal,” “dangerous,” and “criminal,” as they search for the strongest language to convey their disapproval.

Among the vocal critics is California Governor Gavin Newsom. Known for his ambitions, with whispers of a presidential run in his future, Newsom has experienced a decline in his political standing following a series of missteps in 2026. Seizing on the overseas operation, Newsom, or his communications team, attempted to leverage the situation to critique the President. However, this move backfired spectacularly, resulting in widespread criticism of the team’s approach.

Advisors might want to caution Governor Newsom against mentioning sensitive topics like gas prices. California often leads the nation with the highest fuel costs, a situation exacerbated by refineries abandoning the state and a looming mileage tax that could drive even more residents away.

Despite these challenges, Newsom’s team seemed unable to resist wading into the contentious issue, displaying a confidence that some might argue was unwarranted given the circumstances.

The one thing an advisor should immediately tell Mr. Newsom is that he should never, ever bring up gas prices, because his state routinely has the highest in the nation — by a wide margin — refineries are ditching California as fast as they can, and even more residents could potentially head elsewhere if a proposed mileage tax gets imposed.

But the cocky-for-no-apparent-reason team couldn’t help themselves:

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

“We’re watching this space. Closely,” the official, taxpayer-funder Governor Newsom Press Office account said on X. 

What “space” will you be watching? X feeds? Shouldn’t you be running the state instead of doomscrolling on social media?

MORE: As Gavin Newsom Stacks Up the Disasters, His Comms Team Is Melting Down

Schiff’s No-Go on Iran: Ignores Global Attacks, Calls Strike Unjustified

The governor may want to have a little talk with the team, however, because if he keeps getting (virtually) pummeled like this online, he’s going to need a respirator. The US Oil & Gas Association’s response was epic and well-deserved:

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

Their tweet continues (hoo boy, does it):

According to the California Energy Commission here is the typical break down of where that foreign-sourced crude supplied to California refineries comes from:

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 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.

Truth, Oil and Gas Association. 

They, meaning California progressives and most of all, Gov. Hair Gel, did it to themselves and all of their residents.

Look at Gavin’s reality before Operation Epic Fury:

California Gas Prices Jump 40 Cents to $4.58, Now $1.66 Above National Average

California Fuel Prices Poised to Hit New Heights Due to Refinery Losses

Prices have gone down somewhat in the Golden State — mostly because Trump is in office — but look what Gavin, Joe Biden, and Co. hit us with in 2022 with their ludicrous energy policies and war on proven fuels:

Send to @Tobe_Duru and @MWMA_IND. This @NYPost story was published in May 2022.https://t.co/He9PsRIOsP

“Gas prices in California have soared to the point where some fueling stations are charging more than the federal minimum wage for a gallon of regular.”

People are leaving.

— David the Republican (@BennytheKite) February 17, 2026

There are some subjects Newsom just plain shouldn’t brag about: homelessness, affordability, betrayal, and of course, the price at the pump. Somebody might want to alert his comms team.

Gas in California is nearly $2 more per gallon than the national average

Gavin Newsom and his incompetent press team worrying about gas prices is the absolute height of comedy https://t.co/ICfqJv0Y47

— Ian Miller (@ianmSC) March 1, 2026

Editor’s Note: Gavin Newsom wants to turn America into one big version of California – a failed, overtaxed, dystopian nightmare.