California Governor Gavin Newsom has proposed allocating an additional $25 million to the state budget to finance legal battles against the incoming Trump administration, highlighting the state’s commitment to resisting policies expected from the Republican leader who has vowed to intensify his clash with the progressive stronghold.
The proposal was introduced during a special session of the California legislature in Sacramento, convened to outline strategies to counteract measures that Trump might implement upon returning to the White House. The funding would support the California Department of Justice and other state agencies in addressing legal disputes involving reproductive rights, environmental protection, and immigration policies.
“This new litigation fund will help safeguard critical funding for disaster relief, health care, and other vital services that millions of Californians depend on daily,” Newsom said in the proposal. He emphasized the importance of defending against “unlawful federal actions that could jeopardize tangible resources and the state’s economy,” including protections for reproductive health care and civil rights.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta echoed the governor’s stance, announcing plans to bolster his office’s capacity to quickly respond to federal actions with restraining orders and injunctions. Between 2017 and 2022, California spent $42 million supporting over 120 lawsuits challenging Trump administration policies.
The additional funding request comes amid financial challenges for the state. California faces a budget deficit initially projected at $68 billion, though later revised to approximately $38 billion. Newsom has proposed covering the shortfall through a combination of reserve funds, spending cuts, and deferred expenditures. However, the governor’s decision to trim funding for climate change initiatives, housing programs, and clean energy has drawn criticism from some quarters.
Despite economic hurdles, Newsom vowed to “Trump-proof” California’s laws and reaffirmed his commitment to protecting fundamental rights. “The freedoms we hold dear in California are under attack—and we won’t sit idle,” Newsom said after Trump’s electoral victory. “Federalism is the cornerstone of our democracy. It’s the United STATES of America.”
He also expressed a willingness to collaborate with the incoming administration where possible, stating, “We intend to stand with states across our nation to defend our Constitution and uphold the rule of law.”
California is not alone in its preparations. In New York, Governor Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James have also mobilized teams to coordinate legal strategies. “Our team will do whatever we have to do to identify any possible threats to these rights that we hold dear in the state of New York and protect New Yorkers,” Hochul said during a news conference.
