The Democratic governor says his "first-in-the-nation program" that provides free diapers to all new parents is part of a broader effort to help people in the affordability crisis.
"Every baby born in California deserves a healthy start in life – and that means making sure parents have the basics they need from day one," Newsom said.
But Mary Rose Short, director of outreach for California Right to Life, points out that diapers are not the thing keeping families from welcoming their babies.
"Just a couple years ago, his big headliner … was stockpiling abortion drugs," she remembers. "But the abortion drug he chose to stockpile was misoprostol, which has never been in legal jeopardy."
Short explains that the second drug used in the chemical abortion regimen has other uses as well, including preventing stomach ulcers, treating and preventing postpartum hemorrhage, inducing labor, and managing miscarriage.
"It just goes to show that he's all about press releases and headlines and spending taxpayer money without actually doing anything to help Californians," she tells AFN.
As lawmakers consider a bill (AB 2540) that would require California community colleges that have student health centers to provide access to abortion pills on campus or through the campus health system, Newsom is rumored to be eyeing a 2028 run for president.
Short recognizes this diaper initiative could be an effort for Gov. Newsom, who is "always working hand-in-hand with Planned Parenthood to increase the number of abortions," to get more attention.
"I definitely think he's going to run for president, and this could be a way to try to soften the fact that he has been 100% pro-abortion everywhere he's been in office," she poses.
