Secretary of Energy Doug Burgum responded to allegations made by California Governor Gavin Newsom, who blamed none other than President Trump for the state's rising gas prices, which in some parts have risen to over $8.00 a gallon.
🚨 HOLY CRAP! Trump Interior Sec. Doug Burgum MIC DROPS Gavin Newsom after Gavin blames Trump for his nearly $7 gas prices
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) March 11, 2026
"That is SOMETHING coming from California! Under Newsom, California used to have 40 refineries. Now they have 8, 2 MORE are CLOSING!"
"They're going to be… pic.twitter.com/pgXiS7vduL
Secretary Burgum was asked how he would respond to Newsom's allegations on Wednesday.
"Well, wow, that is something, coming from California," he said. "Because of course, under Gavin Newsom, California used to have 40 refineries. Now they have eight, two more are closing. They're going to be down to six with Chevron and Valero closing. California is the most energy-dependent state in America."
Sixty-three percent of their oil gets imported. Now they're going to be importing refined product into San Francisco Bay and into Long Beach every day just to keep their fleet. They have the largest number of internal combustion cars in America, in California, in more than any other state even has vehicles. And of course they've been trying to eliminate those, and doing that, which then puts us dependent on China. I mean, their energy policies are as crazy as Europe. And part of the reason why their prices are so high is they've restricted supply and killed their own economy.
Recommended
Another contributing factor is the special gasoline blend required by the California government, which is intended to be more environmentally friendly. This blend not only costs more to produce but also makes the state’s fuel market far more volatile, especially if a refinery goes offline. As a result, California’s gas prices typically run about $1.50 higher than the national average. A little more than half of that difference comes from state taxes, while the rest stems from the higher cost of the special fuel blend.
The Iran war has increased gas prices by around 50c.
— Steve Hilton (@SteveHiltonx) March 11, 2026
Gavin Newsom and the Democrats increased California gas prices by around $2.00.
Gavin Newsom is FOUR TIMES more destructive than the Iran war.
His pathetic attempt to shift blame for his own policies is laughable. https://t.co/2o9edG469U
The idea that this could be blamed on President Trump is laughable, especially as gas prices in the state remained elevated at similar levels throughout the Obama and Biden administrations. However, it hasn't stopped Newsom from trying to shift the blame as much as possible.
"Americans will pay $1.5 BILLION MORE at the gas pump just this week because of Donald Trump's war with Iran," Newsom posted to X. "California will continue using the tools we've spent years developing to help fight price spikes and lessen the blow from Trump's recklessness."
Americans will pay $1.5 BILLION MORE at the gas pump just this week because of Donald Trump's war with Iran.
— Governor Gavin Newsom (@CAgovernor) March 10, 2026
California will continue using the tools we've spent years developing to help fight price spikes and lessen the blow from Trump's recklessness.
Gov. Newsom spoke at length about Iran.
— Ashley Zavala (@ZavalaA) March 2, 2026
When I asked what concerns him most for CA, he pointed to Austin TX & public safety.
He’s also worried about gas prices.
When I asked about state’s heavy reliance on foreign fuel, he said his admin is “gaming out worst case scenarios” pic.twitter.com/aoVSxHyk3L
Editor’s Note: Do you enjoy Townhall’s conservative reporting that takes on the radical Left and woke media? Support our work so that we can continue to bring you the truth.
Join Townhall VIP and use promo code FIGHT to receive 60% off your membership.
Join the conversation as a VIP Member