The tumultuous year of 2020 in California has become a significant reference point when discussing government authority and overreach. During this period, many critics of President Donald Trump labeled him a dictator, chanting slogans like “NO KINGS!” while alerting citizens to the imminent threat of a monarchy. However, the reality of authoritarian tendencies can be starkly illustrated through the actions of California’s Democratic Governor, Gavin Newsom, particularly concerning his handling of Thanksgiving gatherings during the pandemic.
As families prepared for a holiday synonymous with togetherness, Newsom delivered a proclamation that dictated not only the spirit of Thanksgiving but also imposed stringent regulations on how Californians could celebrate. His statement was less about gratitude and tradition and more about political rhetoric, highlighting initiatives like the “Truth and Healing Council” that redefined historical narratives. The moral direction of this narrative stood out, but so did the sheer magnitude of control exerted over private lives.
On November 22, 2020, Newsom’s administration issued a series of “new safety guidelines for all private gatherings.” With a severity that seemed to stem from a higher authority, the rules came down hard on Americans’ cherished holiday traditions. The limitations were eye-opening: gatherings of no more than three households, outdoor festivities only, and a strict two-hour time limit on Thanksgiving dinner. This felt less like an attempt to protect public health and more like an invasion of personal freedoms.
The guidelines convoluted how families could engage with one another. Guests, for instance, could enter homes only for restroom breaks, and even that came with a stern caveat—frequent sanitization was a must. Masks were mandated for all except during short moments devoted to eating or drinking, an arrangement complicated by social distancing rules that dictated seating arrangements. It was apparent that these mandates would fundamentally alter Thanksgiving, a beloved family occasion.
Moreover, regulations skewed even the simplicity of serving food. Communal dishes were labeled as dangerous, meals required disposable containers, and constant access to hand sanitizer became compulsory. The joyous chaos typically associated with family gatherings was stripped away and replaced with an atmosphere of surveillance and compliance. Singing, cheering, or even loud talking carried risks, with Newsom’s guidelines permitting only whispers. Such instructions starkly illustrated a drastic shift from civil liberties into the realm of lifestyle regulation.
This heavy-handed approach starkly contrasts with the current narrative of many politicians who rally against authoritarianism. The irony is acute: while voices across the country decried Trump as a king-in-the-making, it was Newsom who imposed restrictions that severely dictated how, when, and with whom families could gather. Observers may now question whether the public’s outrage was misplaced, given that the more blatant overreach appeared to manifest from a Democratic governor rather than the national figure being critiqued.
A half-decade later, as the nation approaches another Thanksgiving, the memory of those restrictions should resonate. The selective amnesia displayed by many who once heralded Newsom’s guidelines is noteworthy. Thanksgiving in 2025 arrives as a reminder—a reflection on who truly embodied an authoritarian spirit—and it certainly wasn’t Trump. The reviews of Newsom’s actions serve as a case study in governmental overreach, asserting that it can thrive at state levels just as vigorously as it can at the federal stage.
As citizens gather once more this holiday season, it’s essential to remember the past restrictions and the leaders who dictated them. Newsom’s insistence on control, masked under the guise of public health, serves as an eye-opener about the potential for government to infringe on personal freedoms. Reflecting on these events, the underlying question emerges: who gets to decide how Americans celebrate their cherished traditions?
"*" indicates required fields
