HBO’s Bill Maher didn’t hold back in his criticism of California Gov. Gavin Newsom during Friday’s “Real Time” Overtime segment, accusing the Democratic governor of commuting all death row sentences to life without parole as a calculated political move.
“He was locked out of the news cycle. He wants to be one of the presidential contenders. He wants to have some credibility with a left cause,” Maher said, according to Breitbart. The comedian and political commentator suggested Newsom’s decision was timed to boost his progressive credentials rather than being a principled stand.
‘Far-Left’ California Politics
Maher, who has frequently described himself as a liberal, argued that Newsom’s actions reflect the extreme political climate in California rather than mainstream Democratic values. “California is a far-left place,” he said, while praising Newsom as “probably the most talented politician they have in the party.”
The host noted that the commutations were largely symbolic since California hadn’t executed anyone since 2006. “It doesn’t hurt anything. We were [never] going to put these people to death anyway,” Maher said, pointing out some inmates had been on death row for two decades.
Midterm Fallout for Newsom’s Ambitions
Maher suggested the 2022 midterm election results damaged Newsom’s national prospects by demonstrating the party’s need to appeal to moderates. “I think the Tuesday results are not good for him, because it shows that it is the moderates that the party is going to get behind, if they know what they’re doing,” he said.
Newsom commuted the sentences of all 737 death row inmates in March 2022 while ordering the dismantling of San Quentin’s execution chamber. The governor has framed the move as a moral stand against what he called a “failed system” that discriminates against minorities and the poor.
The comments come as Newsom has increasingly positioned himself as a national progressive leader, engaging in high-profile political fights with Republican governors and testing the waters for a potential White House run.
Source: www.breitbart.com โ https://www.breitbart.com/clips/2026/11/07/maher-newsom-commuted-death-sentences-for-attention-to-cater-to-left-cause-he-runs-far-left-place/