Prioritizing Trump Over Community Support – One America News Network
OAN Staff Brooke Mallory
1:00 PM – Friday, January 10, 2025
As devastating wildfires rage across Los Angeles County and neighboring regions, California Democrats rejected calls from Republican legislators to end a special session focused on preparing for the forthcoming Donald Trump administration.
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Instead, they maintained their approach of backing the state Department of Justice in preparation for potential legal challenges against the federal government. In December, Governor Gavin Newsom (D-Calif.) urged legislators to gear up for a special “anti-Trump” session.
James Gallagher, a Republican representative from Nicolaus in Sutter County, argued that the special session should be suspended due to the ongoing devastation plaguing the Golden State.
“We have far more pressing issues right now that need addressing,” Gallagher remarked. Los Angeles fire officials announced on Thursday that thousands of homes may have been affected or irreparably damaged by the fires.
On Thursday morning, Assembly lawmakers voted to move forward several proposed bills, one of which allocates $25 million in taxpayer funds to the Department of Justice.
Over a dozen legislators from the Los Angeles area were absent from the session.
“Securing sufficient resources to combat these fires does not need to conflict with our commitment to safeguarding the progress and well-being of this great state,” contended Senate President pro Tem Mike McGuire (D-Healdsburg).
“If Republicans find themselves with plenty of time on their hands, they should collaborate with the incoming administration to ensure that politics don’t interfere with the recovery funds that have historically been provided to states in their times of need.”
Meanwhile, Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Salinas) described the fires as “heartbreaking and devastating,” yet did not respond when asked why his chamber continued with the Trump-related session amidst the urgent issues posed by the ongoing fires in Los Angeles. Nonetheless, he asserted that the fires were his top priority.
“I’m here to deal with these wildfires,” he informed reporters. “We are taking urgent steps to ensure we deliver necessary assistance to the people of Los Angeles.”
According to Rivas, plans include a fire insurance initiative that is likely to be introduced later that day. The California Senate is set to propose legislation this year to support Los Angeles County residents in rebuilding their homes, businesses, religious establishments, and educational institutions, McGuire added.
Assemblyman Bill Essayli (R-Corona) has urged Governor Gavin Newsom to call for a special session on wildfire response, despite Democrats focusing their efforts on opposing Trump-era policies.
Rivas emphasized that it is up to the governor to call a special session dedicated to wildfire prevention and response and stated that he had participated in “zero discussions” on the subject thus far.
On the Senate floor, discussions also heated up regarding the necessity of a special session aimed at “Trump-proofing” California.
“Our focus should not be on Trump-proofing California,” asserted Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones (R-San Diego). “We should prioritize fire-proofing California.”
As firefighters continue battling the Palisades blaze, the GOP president-elect held Newsom accountable for the lack of fire prevention measures in Los Angeles County and the inadequate supply of functioning fire hydrants. Trump criticized the “incompetent governor” for not allowing “clean, fresh water to FLOW INTO CALIFORNIA” via Truth Social.
“This president may say many ‘crazy’ things,” Jones commented on Trump. “But ultimately, his administration [actually] supported California when we needed it the most.”
During discussions, San Francisco Democrat Senator Scott Wiener also apparently weighed in, claiming that preparing for the incoming Republican administration is a top priority, despite the fires and multitude of other challenges facing California.
“I really do believe it’s vital for California to uphold its values and support its residents,” Wiener expressed.
In July, Wiener supported “AB-1955,” legislation that allows California school districts to withhold information about a child’s “sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression” from parents. Additionally, Wiener has “secured over $18 million in state funding for LGBTQ health initiatives… He also abolished discriminatory laws that mandated judges to register LGBTQ youth as sex offenders,” as noted on his official website.
In a stark contrast to the typical treatment of Republican officials in the media following disasters, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis criticized a reporter on Thursday for not holding Democrat politicians in California accountable for the ongoing fires.
“Is it proper for individuals in your line of work [the press] to incite division and construct narratives whenever tragedies occur?… If Newsom were a Republican, you’d be ready to nail him to the wall for his actions,” DeSantis told a reporter.
Meanwhile, social media users flocked to platforms to raise questions that many Californians are echoing.
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