BELEM – California Governor Gavin Newsom expressed his astonishment on Tuesday at the decision of eight senators to part ways with their fellow Democrats by voting to end the government shutdown. He voiced concerns that they are not sufficiently worried about how President Donald Trump is disrupting political norms.

“I’m not here to start a fight, but I am disappointed that, in dealing with Donald Trump—a figure who has completely rewritten the rules—we are still trying to play by the old ones,” Newsom remarked in an interview with The Associated Press at the COP30 UN Climate Conference in Brazil. “Frankly, I’m stunned at this approach.”

Newsom was responding to questions about the actions of a group consisting of seven Democrats and one independent senator who aligned with Republicans in the Senate on Monday night to approve legislation to reopen the government. This move brought an end to the longest shutdown in U.S. history but also ignited criticism from other Democrats. These critics argued that the senators’ actions amounted to conceding to the GOP without securing meaningful progress, especially concerning the impending expiration of health care subsidies on January 1.

As discussions about a potential compromise unfolded before a crucial Sunday night procedural vote aimed at advancing the funding legislation, Newsom’s press office took to X, posting, “Pathetic. This isn’t a deal. It’s a surrender. Don’t bend the knee!” Following the same eight senators—seven Democrats and Independent Senator Angus King of Maine, who aligns with Democrats—voting with Republicans, Newsom described their actions as “capitulation and a betrayal of working Americans.”

When asked by AP about his strategies to counter Trump, which range from a bold social media presence to the recent approval of U.S. House maps for California (meant to counter similar Republican efforts elsewhere), Newsom emphasized his dedication to going above and beyond what others in his party might do.

“I’m really more alarmed than it appears the eight members of my party are in the United States Senate,” Newsom said. “I’m much more alarmed about the future of our country and the world we’re trying to build than they are.”

The Trump administration did not send an official delegation to COP30 in Brazil this week. Newsom, whose state represents the world’s fourth-largest economy, is expected to meet with officials from some of the 195 global governments in attendance.

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Meg Kinnard reported from Columbia, South Carolina, and can be reached at http://x.com/MegKinnardAP