Gavin Newsom and California Democrats Secure $50M Agreement to Fortify State Against Trump Policies
This groundbreaking agreement aims to finance legal action against the new White House administration and safeguard against the possibility of mass deportations of immigrants.
TroibNews 
SACRAMENTO, California — California Democrats have finalized a $50 million agreement aimed at enhancing state and local legal defenses in anticipation of the incoming Trump administration, just a week before the president-elect's inauguration. Half of this funding is designated to counter any mass deportation initiatives that the new president may implement early in his term.
This unprecedented move positions California to spearhead a resistance against Donald Trump’s second term, despite criticism from Republicans who argue that state Democratic leaders should be prioritizing response efforts to the record-breaking fires ravaging the southern part of the state.
The agreement consists of $25 million proposed by Governor Newsom for the state Department of Justice to legally challenge the federal government shortly after Trump’s reelection in November, along with an additional $25 million suggested by state Senate leaders for protecting immigrants from deportation, detention, and wage theft. This latter allocation will finance grants for legal nonprofits and immigration support organizations.
“This funding agreement cements California’s readiness to serve as a bulwark against Trump’s extremist agenda,” said Senate Budget Chair Scott Wiener, a Democrat from San Francisco with ambitions to eventually succeed Rep. Nancy Pelosi.
Floor votes on the special session package could occur as early as this week, allowing Newsom to sign the agreement before Trump’s inauguration on January 20. This timing could also redirect attention from the partisan tensions of the session to how Democrats are addressing the continuing crisis in Los Angeles.
Officials from the governor’s office and legislative leaders have not responded to requests for comments, as the announcement of the deal is expected soon.
Republicans have called for a special session solely focused on the wildfires. Over the weekend, Newsom expressed on “Pod Save America” his willingness to take action that would make progress when asked about the potential for such a session, mentioning discussions with legislative leaders on whether it was needed.
Despite the governor’s and LA legislators’ presence in Southern California since the fires intensified, GOP criticisms haven’t been alleviated.
“At a time when California should be laser-focused on responding to the devastating wildfires in LA, Democrat lawmakers’ priority is creating a $50 million slush fund to hire government lawyers for hypothetical fights against the federal government and to defend criminal illegal immigrants from being returned to their home countries,” Assembly Minority Leader James Gallagher remarked in response to the special session agreement.
The details of the funding deal were clarified through modifications to four special session bills on Friday.
The immigration aspects of the agreement have gained urgency with Trump's commitment to initiate mass deportations once he assumes office. Reports indicate that even during President Joe Biden's tenure, the border patrol recently executed what advocates describe as the most extensive enforcement operation in the Central Valley in years.
“Senate Democrats are particularly proud to provide funding for providers of legal aid services, which know our communities’ needs best and are best positioned to defend at scale the millions of individuals and families that will be impacted by the incoming Administration’s extreme agenda,” Wiener stated.
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Navid Kalantari for TROIB News
This unprecedented move positions California to spearhead a resistance against Donald Trump’s second term, despite criticism from Republicans who argue that state Democratic leaders should be prioritizing response efforts to the record-breaking fires ravaging the southern part of the state.
The agreement consists of $25 million proposed by Governor Newsom for the state Department of Justice to legally challenge the federal government shortly after Trump’s reelection in November, along with an additional $25 million suggested by state Senate leaders for protecting immigrants from deportation, detention, and wage theft. This latter allocation will finance grants for legal nonprofits and immigration support organizations.
“This funding agreement cements California’s readiness to serve as a bulwark against Trump’s extremist agenda,” said Senate Budget Chair Scott Wiener, a Democrat from San Francisco with ambitions to eventually succeed Rep. Nancy Pelosi.
Floor votes on the special session package could occur as early as this week, allowing Newsom to sign the agreement before Trump’s inauguration on January 20. This timing could also redirect attention from the partisan tensions of the session to how Democrats are addressing the continuing crisis in Los Angeles.
Officials from the governor’s office and legislative leaders have not responded to requests for comments, as the announcement of the deal is expected soon.
Republicans have called for a special session solely focused on the wildfires. Over the weekend, Newsom expressed on “Pod Save America” his willingness to take action that would make progress when asked about the potential for such a session, mentioning discussions with legislative leaders on whether it was needed.
Despite the governor’s and LA legislators’ presence in Southern California since the fires intensified, GOP criticisms haven’t been alleviated.
“At a time when California should be laser-focused on responding to the devastating wildfires in LA, Democrat lawmakers’ priority is creating a $50 million slush fund to hire government lawyers for hypothetical fights against the federal government and to defend criminal illegal immigrants from being returned to their home countries,” Assembly Minority Leader James Gallagher remarked in response to the special session agreement.
The details of the funding deal were clarified through modifications to four special session bills on Friday.
The immigration aspects of the agreement have gained urgency with Trump's commitment to initiate mass deportations once he assumes office. Reports indicate that even during President Joe Biden's tenure, the border patrol recently executed what advocates describe as the most extensive enforcement operation in the Central Valley in years.
“Senate Democrats are particularly proud to provide funding for providers of legal aid services, which know our communities’ needs best and are best positioned to defend at scale the millions of individuals and families that will be impacted by the incoming Administration’s extreme agenda,” Wiener stated.
Like this content? Consider signing up for PMG’s California Playbook newsletter.
Navid Kalantari for TROIB News
