Gavin Newsom Accuses Republicans of Exaggerating San Francisco's Homeless Crisis

• California Governor Gavin Newsom, on Seth Meyers' show, defended San Francisco against claims of excessive crime and decay, attributing these perceptions to Republican exaggeration.
• Newsom acknowledged the urgent need for more housing in San Francisco, which is experiencing a significant exodus of businesses and residents.
• The Governor emphasized his defensiveness about San Francisco, asserting the city's resilience and beauty despite its challenges.

California Governor Gavin Newsom, appearing on Seth Meyers' late-night show, discussed the challenges facing San Francisco, a city he previously served as mayor.

Newsom attributed the negative portrayal of the city's crime and homelessness issues to Republican critics, suggesting they exaggerate these problems to undermine Democratic leadership. He admitted that San Francisco urgently needs more housing and expressed his defensiveness about the city, comparing its holiday atmosphere to New York's.

Photo by@Dailymail.com

Despite Newsom's defense, San Francisco has seen a significant exodus of businesses and residents due to issues like rampant crime, homelessness, and the impact of remote working. A quarter of a million people have left the Bay Area since 2020, and the city faces public health crises like open-air drug markets and overdose epidemics. Newsom mentioned efforts to combat homelessness and improve mental health services, claiming that 68,000 people have been helped off the streets during his tenure as governor.

Criticism arose when San Francisco underwent a major cleanup before the APEC summit, leading some to question why such efforts were not made sooner. The city's challenges, including high crime rates and drug-related deaths, continue to drive an exodus of businesses and residents, raising concerns about its future viability.

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