Don't give him the Trump treatment and rationalize his words in a way that are more acceptable to you. Words in general, but especially from politicians, should be taken at face value without an obvious reason to do otherwise. Newsom gives no indication here that he means anything other than what he's literally saying.

Damn. If he followed internet convention with the /s, I would be rolling. But from what I know of him, I believe him to be sincere.