The CEO of Bed Bath & Beyond delivered a blistering rebuke of California this week, declaring that his company will not open retail stores in the Democrat-run state, citing suffocating regulations, high taxes, and an unsustainable business climate.

“We will not open or operate retail stores in California,” Marcus Lemonis said in a statement.

“This decision isn’t about politics — it’s about reality. California has created one of the most overregulated, expensive, and risky environments for businesses in America. It’s a system that makes it harder to employ people, harder to keep doors open, and harder to deliver value to customers,” Lemonis continued.

“The result? Higher taxes, higher fees, higher wages that many businesses simply cannot sustain, and endless regulations that strangle growth. Even when the state announces a budget surplus, it’s built on the backs of ordinary citizens who are paying too much and businesses who are squeezed until they break,” he added.

Lemonis emphasized that the company’s priority is customers and shareholders, not a broken system designed by Democrat politicians.

“At Bed Bath & Beyond, our responsibility is to our customers and our shareholders. We will not participate in a system that undermines both. Instead, we are investing in a California strategy that works: 24–48-hour delivery, and in many cases, same-day service. Californians will continue to get the products they love through BedBathandBeyond.com — but without the inflated costs created by an unsustainable model,” Lemonis said.

He concluded with a call for sanity in policymaking: “We’re taking a stand because it’s time for common sense. Businesses deserve the chance to succeed. Employees deserve jobs that last. And customers deserve fair prices. California’s system delivers the opposite. That’s why Bed Bath & Beyond will serve California customers directly through BedBathandBeyond.com, on our terms, and with their best interests at heart.”

The move is a stinging indictment of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s leadership as the Democrat governor continues to eye a run for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination. His state’s heavy-handed regulations are driving away major retailers while ordinary Californians face skyrocketing costs of living.

Meanwhile, President Donald J. Trump’s administration has ramped up its pressure on Newsom over sanctuary state policies that shield illegal migrants from deportation.

Last week, U.S. Border Patrol agents maintained a strong presence outside an anti-Trump rally hosted by Newsom in Los Angeles, making at least one arrest.

Newsom staged the event, dubbed “Liberation Day,” to push back against the GOP’s redistricting effort in Texas.

In a social media post ahead of the rally, Newsom boasted: “Donald Trump and [Texas Governor] Greg Abbott are going to have a very bad day today.”

But the images told a different story. Footage obtained by Fox News from local affiliate Fox 11 showed more than a dozen armed, masked Border Patrol agents stationed outside the rally. At one point, video captured agents escorting a man away in handcuffs as onlookers shouted in protest.

Speaking to Fox 11, Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino defended the operation: “We’re here making Los Angeles a safer place.”

“Since we won’t have politicians who will do that, we do that ourselves. So, that’s why we’re here today. As you can see, already making it a safer place,” Bovino said.

He added bluntly: “We’re glad to be here, not going anywhere.”

When asked what message he had for Gov. Newsom, Bovino didn’t mince words: “Again, we’re making Los Angeles a safer place, we’re going to continue to do that, and they can take that one to the bank and cash it.”

Newsom’s office fired back in an all-caps email to Fox News Digital, ranting: “WE WILL NOT BE INTIMIDATED BY WEAK LITTLE DONALD TRUMP, THE CRIMINAL PRESIDENT!”