But Secretary of Interior Doug Burgum dismantled the Governor of California’s arguments, saying California is largely dependent on oil coming through the Strait of Hormuz.
By Catholics for Catholics
Gavin Newsom, California’s Governor, received a roasting reprimand from Secretary of Interior Doug Burgum, who accused him of provoking a self-induced energy crisis while blaming President Donald Trump for his state’s near-record high gas prices, according to The Daily Wire.
“California hasn’t changed anything as it relates to that cost,” Newsom insisted, claiming that state-level baseline costs have remained static. “The cost at the pump has been for one reason: Donald Trump’s recklessness as it relates to the war in Iran, period, full stop.” In March, Newsom dismissed Trump’s “Drill Baby Drill” mantra as a “lie to enrich Big Oil donors,” claiming that American families are paying $1.5 billion more at the pump weekly while corporations “cash in on Trump’s chaos.”
Burgum countered by indicating California’s specific policy choices. He stressed that California has deliberately isolated itself from the American energy grid, effectively becoming an “energy island.”
Gavin Newsom is proud of his war on energy, and blames the extraordinarily high gas prices in California on everyone but himself.
— American Energy Institute (@4AmericanEnergy) May 11, 2026
Gavin, the people of California are sick of you gaslighting them, and are sick of paying over $2 more a gallon than the rest of the nation. pic.twitter.com/oxW7aa0lNd
“California is leading in highest energy prices, highest taxes, and out-migration,” Burgum stated. “They’ve blocked every pipeline; they block transmission lines … and then they’re complaining to this administration about their high energy prices.”
Burgum showed a shocking weakness in California’s infrastructure: the state is dependent on oil passing through the Strait of Hormuz. While the rest of the nation has increased domestic energy security, California imports roughly 60% of its oil by ship.
Burgum also pointed to the systematic dismantling of California’s refining capacity, noting the state has plummeted from 40 refineries to just six, while Texas continues to expand its capacity.
Comparative data underscores the “California Premium.” While California gas prices hit $6.15 in May 2026, Texas remains significantly lower at $4.01, and even the leftist bastion of New York sits at $4.58, according to AAA. California’s lowest prices in 2025 were still higher than the highest prices in almost every other state.
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