State lawmakers in a special session Monday approved a proposed $25 million litigation fund to respond to President-elect Donald Trump’s anticipated attacks on California’s policies on civil rights, climate change and abortion access. I plan to focus on that.
Gov. Gavin Newsom has asked Congress to authorize funding for the Justice Department and other agencies to help states sue the federal government and defend against lawsuits from the Trump administration.
“California is a hub for this country, from the economy to innovation to protecting and investing in the rights and freedoms of all people. We look forward to working with the incoming administration to ensure that President Trump serves all Americans. I hope it is successful,” Newsom said in a statement Sunday. “But when there are excesses, when lives are threatened, when rights and freedoms are targeted, we will take action. And that’s exactly what this special session is about, and who is in the White House. It’s about making this state successful, no matter what.”
Legislative Democrats have so far responded to Newsom’s request with two bills to be considered as part of the special session.
Rep. Jesse Gabriel (D-Encino) introduced a bill that would set aside $25 million for litigation costs, plus an additional $500,000 for “initial litigation preparation.”
“While we are always willing to work with our federal partners, California must vigorously protect our interests and values from any illegal activity by the incoming Trump administration,” Assembly Budget Committee Chairman Gabriel said in a statement. We are ready to protect it.” “We know we must be ready to defend ourselves from President-elect Trump’s statements and from the more than 120 lawsuits filed by the state of California during the first Trump administration. I do not intend to be treated unfairly.”
If approved, Newsom’s office said the $25 million legal fund would help millions of Californians “protect critical funding for disaster relief, health care programs, and other critical services.” It would not only provide legal funding for abortion access and climate protection, he said. Policy change, LGBTQ+ rights, and disaster funding.
The Democratic governor issued a special legislative order following President Trump’s election victory last month, saying the former president changed federal policy during his first term in the White House in ways that harmed California and its residents. He requested that the session be held.
At the time, Newsom announced that the president-elect would restrict access to abortion pills, pursue a national abortion ban, dismantle environmental protections for clean air and water, eliminate the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, and move federal disaster relief. The administration said it expects it may withhold response funds. This was one of the most important promises President Trump made during the campaign.
The governor’s move is largely symbolic, and lawmakers are likely to pass the bill as quickly as they would if there was no special session. But some saw it as a way to focus the Legislature on Mr. Newsom’s priority: defending against Mr. Trump. Republicans quickly dismissed the move as political theater.
In the days following Trump’s 2024 election, Newsom signaled that he planned to run an aggressive and highly visible campaign to protect the nation from President Trump.
California challenged then-President Trump’s authority to change federal policy on immigration, health care, education, gun control, consumer protection, the census, the U.S. Postal Service and civil rights issues, among other issues, up until 2021. During the year, 122 lawsuits were filed.
But more recently, the governor has toned down his rhetoric and sought to reshape the California vs. Trump picture he started, calling the special session “centered on realism” and “focused on preparedness.” he said in an interview with The Times.
“You would be a fool not to address this issue by January,” he said.
Newsom and congressional leaders have repeatedly said they are ready to work with the president-elect.
On Monday, lawmakers are scheduled to gather in the Senate and Assembly chambers for the oath of office. Lawmakers typically leave Sacramento after the ceremony, spend the holidays in their districts, and return in the new year.
Lawmakers are scheduled to begin hearings and votes on the special session bill when they reconvene on Jan. 6, and Newsom hopes to sign the bill into law before Trump takes office on Jan. 20. .
Times staff writer Taryn Luna contributed to this report.
Source link
