California Launches Special Session to "Trump-Proof" the State

By Chuck Beaton | DayMark News
California lawmakers convened a special legislative session this week at the behest of Governor Gavin Newsom to fortify the state against potential challenges under President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming administration. The session aims to safeguard key rights and freedoms as Trump prepares to re-enter the White House in January.

Newsom called for the session shortly after Trump defeated Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election. In a statement last month, Newsom emphasized the urgency of action, saying, “The freedoms we cherish in California are under threat — and we won’t stand by.” He proposed increasing resources for the state Department of Justice to counter any federal overreach on issues like immigration, reproductive rights, and civil liberties.

Legislative Efforts to Bolster Defenses

On Monday, Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-Los Angeles) introduced a bill to allocate $25 million in additional funding for the California Department of Justice. Gabriel underscored the importance of proactive measures, stating, “We’re not going to be caught flat-footed. We’re ensuring we have the resources in place to respond swiftly.”

The session is expected to address a range of legislative proposals aimed at defending reproductive rights, protecting immigrant communities, opposing the repeal of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), and ensuring equitable distribution of federal disaster and grant funds.

Learning from the Past

California Attorney General Rob Bonta expressed confidence in the state’s ability to counter any unlawful actions by the Trump administration, drawing on lessons from Trump’s first term. “During Trump 1.0, we saw his administration repeatedly break the law. We challenged those actions in court and won,” Bonta said. “We’re prepared to do it again.”

Nationwide Collaboration

California’s efforts mirror a growing movement among Democratic-led states to resist Trump’s policies. Governors J.B. Pritzker of Illinois and Jared Polis of Colorado recently established Governors Safeguarding Democracy (GSD), a bipartisan coalition dedicated to countering threats to democratic governance. While not explicitly targeting Trump, the group’s mission includes pushing back against autocratic tendencies.

“Hope alone won’t save our democracy,” Polis said. “We need coordinated action, especially at the state level, to protect and strengthen it.”

Grassroots and Legal Mobilization

National organizations are also ramping up preparations. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has launched initiatives to defend immigrant rights, while Mijente, a Latinx advocacy group, is organizing online “deportation defense” trainings to help communities resist anti-immigrant measures.

“Deportation defense is a critical tool for slowing down the deportation machine and standing in solidarity with immigrant communities,” Mijente said in a statement. The group emphasized its readiness to counter Trump’s policies, stating on X (formerly Twitter), “We’ve fought back through raids, deportations, and border militarization — and we’ve learned how to defend our gente.”

Looking Ahead

As Trump’s inauguration approaches, California is positioning itself as a bastion of resistance, rallying resources and allies to protect the rights of its residents and others nationwide. With just weeks until the new administration takes office, the state is determined to stay ahead of potential challenges, ensuring its policies and values remain intact.

Donate