California Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, expressed strong disapproval on Friday of President Trump’s decision to resume nuclear weapons testing. He described the move as “acts of a weak person” and deemed it embarrassing.

In an interview with NBC News’s Kristin Welker, Newsom criticized Trump’s decision to restart nuclear weapons testing, labeling it as “performative.” He compared this behavior to that of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Newsom also highlighted a discrepancy, noting that the Department of Energy is responsible for nuclear weapons testing, not the Pentagon, as Trump had indicated.

Newsom stated, “This is weakness masquerading as strength. It’s classic Trump and Trumpism. He is historically weak, and these actions are those of someone trying to appear strong.”

The governor mentioned that private discussions with Trump regarding nuclear weapons had initially reassured him. However, Newsom now believes that Trump’s actions, including the restart of testing and his recent praise for trade negotiations with China’s President Xi Jinping, are attempts to project toughness.

Newsom expressed concern, urging caution, saying, “Trust but verify that he doesn’t make some errant mistakes, leading us down a path of no return. It’s frightening to discuss these matters, but hopefully, cooler heads will prevail, especially when he seems unaware of his own administration’s stance.”

On Friday, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said the Defense Department would work with the Energy Department on the renewed testing. Trump announced the decision on Wednesday.

“The United States has more Nuclear Weapons than any other country,” Trump wrote on his social platform Truth Social. “This was accomplished, including a complete update and renovation of existing weapons, during my First Term in office. Because of the tremendous destructive power, I HATED to do it, but had no choice! Russia is second, and China is a distant third, but will be even within 5 years.”  

Russia had recently claimed it had a successful new nuclear capable cruise missile, known as the Burevestnik, tested last week. Trump condemned it, and it drew international concern.

The United States stopped nuclear weapons testing in 1992 following the downfall of the Soviet Union, according to The Associated Press. Four years later, the U.S. signed the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty.

Newsom joined House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) in condemning Trump’s directive. Jeffries called the move “a massive breach of international treaties” and said Trump was “divorced from reality.”

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) supported the decision, referring to it as a “deterrent.”

“The commander in chief wants us to be fully prepared,” Johnson told reporters Thursday morning. “We are the last great superpower on the earth. China intends to be a near peer-to-peer advisory to us. But in order to maintain peace around the world, you have to show strength, and that’s what the president believes in. That’s what he’s demonstrated over and over.”