Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco has ignited a firestorm across California, and his latest bombshell is shaking the Golden State to its core. In a series of scathing public attacks, Bianco has taken aim at Governor Gavin Newsom, accusing him of turning California into a chaotic wasteland where criminals run free, homelessness spirals out of control, and everyday citizens are left to fend for themselves. With millions watching on social media, Bianco’s bold claims have sparked heated debates, with some hailing him as a hero and others slamming him as a reckless opportunist. But one thing’s for sure: this sheriff’s war on Newsom is the controversy California can’t stop talking about.
Bianco, a vocal supporter of President Donald Trump, has never shied away from controversy. His recent campaign announcement for the 2026 gubernatorial race has only amplified his attacks on Newsom. In a now-viral video, Bianco didn’t hold back, accusing Newsom of having a “love affair with criminals” and letting California’s streets descend into lawlessness. “Our governor thinks law enforcement is systemically racist,” Bianco declared, pointing to policies like Proposition 47, which he claims has emboldened thieves and drug dealers by reducing penalties for certain crimes. The sheriff’s fiery rhetoric has resonated with conservatives, who see him as a law-and-order champion ready to take on Sacramento’s elite.
But it’s not just crime that has Bianco up in arms. He’s slammed Newsom’s handling of California’s homelessness crisis, calling it a “disaster of drug-induced psychosis” fueled by failed Democratic policies. According to Bianco, Newsom’s leadership has left cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco overrun with tent encampments, while taxpayers foot the bill for programs that do nothing to solve the problem. A 2023 report noted that California’s homelessness increased by 31.6% from 2007 to 2022, despite billions spent on prevention programs. Bianco argues that Newsom’s refusal to enforce stricter rules, like drug-free zones in shelters, has only made things worse.
Water management is another battleground where Bianco is taking swings. He’s called out Newsom for supporting the removal of dams, like those along the California-Oregon border, in the name of environmental restoration. Bianco claims this has worsened the state’s water shortages, pointing to a 2023 U.S. Bureau of Reclamation report that 95% of rainwater was flushed into the Pacific Ocean during heavy storms. “We’re literally throwing away the water that could save our farmers and families,” Bianco said, promising to fast-track projects like the Sites Reservoir if elected governor.
Wildfires, too, have become a flashpoint. After devastating Los Angeles wildfires in 2024 that destroyed over 16,250 homes and killed 29 people, Bianco accused Newsom of “gross mismanagement” and delaying critical resources. He’s pushing for aggressive forest management, including controlled burns and firebreaks, arguing that Newsom’s environmental regulations have tied the hands of firefighters. “We can’t wait years for reviews while our state burns,” Bianco said, a jab that’s fueled recall efforts against Newsom, though they’ve so far failed to gain traction.
Critics, however, are firing back. Democrats accuse Bianco of grandstanding to boost his campaign, pointing to his own controversies, like his brief 2014 membership in the Oath Keepers, a far-right group linked to the January 6 Capitol riot. Bianco has distanced himself, claiming he didn’t know the group’s true nature, but the association has raised eyebrows. Others highlight Riverside County’s hefty lawsuit settlements—tens of millions paid out for wrongful death and excessive force claims under Bianco’s watch. “He’s pointing fingers at Newsom while his own department is bleeding taxpayer dollars,” one Democratic strategist quipped.
Bianco’s most jaw-dropping moment came when he claimed his deputies may have foiled a third assassination attempt on Trump at a 2024 Coachella rally. Federal law enforcement quickly debunked the claim, but Bianco doubled down, saying, “After two attempts on Trump’s life, we weren’t taking chances.” The statement, made in his sheriff’s uniform, sparked a lawsuit from a Democratic candidate who accused him of misusing his office for political gain. On social media, the clip exploded, racking up millions of views and igniting debates about whether Bianco is a fearless truth-teller or a dangerous provocateur.
Supporters see Bianco as California’s last hope, a no-nonsense sheriff who’ll restore order in a state they say Newsom has run into the ground. His endorsement of Trump, complete with a tongue-in-cheek call to “put a felon in the White House,” has only cemented his status as a conservative darling. But in a state where Democrats outnumber Republicans nearly 2:1, can Bianco’s brash style win over moderates? Polls show growing frustration with Newsom—his approval rating dipped below 50% in 2025—but California hasn’t elected a Republican governor since Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2006.
As the 2026 race heats up, Bianco’s campaign is a lightning rod. Social media platforms like Threads are buzzing with hashtags like #BiancoForGovernor and #NewsomNightmare, while critics counter with #SheriffShowboat. Whether you see him as a crusader or a controversy magnet, one thing’s clear: Bianco’s war on Newsom has California talking. Will his explosive claims change the state’s future, or are they just another viral moment in a polarized world? Click to find out what’s next in this political showdown
