Gavin Newsom and California Democrats reach $50M deal to Trump-proof the state
The first-of-its-kind agreement would fund litigation against the incoming White House and protect against a potential mass deportation of immigrants.
The deal includes $25 million the governor had proposed for the state Justice Department to fight the federal government in court shortly after Trump's reelection. | Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
By Blake Jones and Lindsey Holden
01/13/2025 09:20 AM EST
SACRAMENTO, California — California Democrats have reached a $50 million agreement to shore up state and local legal defenses against the incoming Trump administration just a week ahead of the president-elect’s inauguration. Half the money would go to fending off any mass deportation plan the new president might enact early in his administration.
The move — the first of its kind in the nation that positions California to lead a second term resistance against Donald Trump — comes as Republicans bash state Democratic leaders for focusing on a the highly partisan issue even as the southern part of the state suffers from historically devastating fires.
The deal includes $25 million Newsom had proposed for the state Department of Justice to fight the federal government in court shortly after Trump’s reelection in November — plus $25 million more proposed by state Senate leaders to defend immigrants against deportation, detention and wage theft. The $25 million proposed by the Senate would fund grants for legal nonprofits and immigration support centers.
“This funding agreement cements California’s readiness to serve as a bulwark against Trump’s extremist agenda,” said Senate Budget Chair Scott Wiener, a San Francisco Democrat who’s expressed interest in one day replacing Rep. Nancy Pelosi, in a statement.
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/01/13/newsom-california-democrats-trump-legal-fights-00197784
