California Republicans made quite the political statement on Thursday as they sought to end the State of Emergency Democrat Gov. Gavin Newsom put in place March 4, 2020.
Though the Democrat-controlled Legislature voted to keep the emergency order, even as Los Angeles is set to host the Super Bowl this weekend, the Republicans put Newsom’s hypocrisy on full display by wearing matching masks that pictured Newsom without a face covering posing with basketball legend Magic Johnson.
California Democrats just voted to continue the State of Emergency even as we host the Super Bowl. pic.twitter.com/egFMTi1TeA
— Kevin Kiley (@KevinKileyCA) February 10, 2022
Here’s a closer look at the mask Asm. @KevinKileyCA wore on the Assembly floor today, using the photo of Governor Newsom and Magic Johnson maskless at SoFi stadium pic.twitter.com/Ngu82wJzP4
— Ashley Zavala (@ZavalaA) February 10, 2022
Sweet masks, huh? We'd love for @GavinNewsom to explain how it's OK for him to ignore his own mandate and let CA host the #SuperBowl but his one-man rule must not be questioned. It's long past time we end the state of emergency. pic.twitter.com/mX6GABI6AG
— California Assembly Republicans (@AsmRepublicans) February 10, 2022
?? New mask alert ?? pic.twitter.com/YPcFBR3kE3
— Asm. Randy Voepel (@RandyVoepel) February 10, 2022
In response to that mask controversy, Newsom said he was trying to be “gracious.”
“I took the mask off for a brief second but, no, I encourage people to continue to wear them,” he added.
Other photos and videos from the NFC Championship game call his claim into question, however.
In response to the effort by Republicans to end the State of Emergency, a spokesperson for Newsom said elected officials ought to “stop with the political theatre.”
“Elected officials should focus on what best serves their constituents and stop with the political theatre. Apparently, they believe it would have been better to let Californians die and be turned away from care when hospitals reached capacity during the Omicron surge,” the spokesperson said, reports KGET.com.
Assembly Member Kevin Kiley, R-Rocklin, reminded Newsom that other Democratic governors have moved on.
“Apparently, Asm. Kiley and Asm. Gallagher believe it would have been better to let Californians die" - Gavin Newsom.
— Kevin Kiley (@KevinKileyCA) February 10, 2022
Apparently, someone forgot to tell him even other Democrat Governors say the emergency is over.