As Lawmakers Commit to Safeguarding ‘California Values,’ New Los Angeles County Chair Advocates for a Bipartisan Strategy

LOS ANGELES—While California lawmakers convened in Sacramento for an emergency session aimed at “protecting” their state against what they perceive as threats to “California values”—including a proposed $25 million litigation fund to counteract federal overreach—Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger advocated for a different strategy regarding a potential second term for Trump.

Barger, a Republican who often aligns with her four progressive colleagues, officially assumed her role as chair of the Board of Supervisors on December 3. She has been a member of the board since 2016.

Last month, she stood alone in opposition to a motion endorsing Governor Newsom’s initiatives aimed at preserving the state’s progressive achievements related to civil rights, climate change, immigration, and abortion in light of anticipated shifts under a Trump administration.

“It’s disheartening for me because we are predicting the worst outcomes,” Barger remarked in an interview with The Epoch Times on December 4. “Yet, we are sending a letter to the Trump administration requesting $3.2 billion for the Olympics. My mom always told me you get more bees with honey than you do with vinegar.”

Recently, L.A. transit officials also appealed to the president-elect for funds to enhance the city’s transportation systems in anticipation of the 2028 summer games.

Barger expressed her desire to find common ground with the incoming administration, which will be crucial for the county’s access to billions in discretionary federal funds allocated for support services such as food assistance, transportation, and mental health infrastructure.

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Barger pointed out, “By isolating ourselves and assuming the worst, we’re setting ourselves up for failure,” expressing concerns that such an attitude could disenfranchise county residents.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom called for the state Legislature’s emergency session on December 2, following weeks of heated exchanges with the president-elect. Aiming for what he termed “litigation preparedness,” he sought an additional $25 million budget allocation.

However, Newsom seems to have moderated his rhetoric, clarifying in an interview with the Los Angeles Times that it’s not about a “resistance brand,” but rather a practical reaction.

Barger remarked that the governor’s shift in tone indicates that state officials acknowledge the uncertainty surrounding Trump’s forthcoming policies.

“What we experienced in 2016 may not reflect what we will encounter in 2024. The only way to find out is through communication and collaboration,” Barger asserted.

‘California Values’

The state’s attorney general, Rob Bonta, who supervised 122 lawsuits against Trump’s first administration—California has expended nearly $42 million on legal actions against the federal government since 2017—pledges to protect illegal immigrants and safeguard abortion rights.

Just days prior, Bonta had expressed concern noting, “as a father of two remarkable young women, who presently have fewer rights than their mother and grandmother, I sense the anxiety in their eyes as they navigate a world that is encroaching on their reproductive rights.”

In fact, the right to abortion and contraception is already protected by California’s constitution.

Yet, there are questions about whether Californians still prioritize the battles highlighted by Bonta, Newsom, and other local Democrats.

The November election revealed a growing political diversity within California’s electorate, as Trump gained traction more broadly and among key demographics like Latinos compared to 2020. Significant Republican gains were made in various legislative seats, and voters reinstated stricter penalties for retail and drug-related crimes while ousting two progressive district attorneys.

Economic concerns and illegal immigration were pivotal in delivering Trump’s considerable success, especially in California, which bears a substantial load of the illegal immigration crisis and grapples with some of the highest living costs in the nation.

“The results of this election reflected concern over the economy. Voters care about immigration. People are frustrated with working hard yet being unable to afford a home or achieve the American Dream,” Barger explained.

During a December 4 discussion, Jim McDonnell, the new chief of the Los Angeles Police Department, outlined a strategy to protect illegal immigrants in anticipation of Trump’s proposed mass deportations, reiterating that LAPD does not enforce immigration laws.

Barger emphasized that local governments shouldn’t be expected to resolve the nation’s “broken” immigration system—responsibility that lies with Congress. However, she maintained the importance of engaging with federal authorities regarding the effects on residents of Los Angeles County.

For instance, she suggested contacting Tom Homan, Trump’s appointee for border czar, to “begin a dialogue, possibly educating him on how we provide services.”

Barger recalled a recent visit to Skid Row, noted for its high density of homeless encampments, located just blocks from the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration, where the Board of Supervisors convenes. During her visit, she spoke with individuals who had moved there from San Diego.

“There will inevitably be challenges attributed to this [new] administration that, to be honest, have been ongoing for years,” Barger remarked. “We are the ones bearing the burden of the ramifications that such challenges pose, not only for L.A. County but also for those who are homeless.”

Additionally, she highlighted the difference between individuals who legally navigate the pathway to citizenship and those who enter the country unlawfully.

When discussing the incoming administration’s emphasis on illegal immigrants with criminal records, she stated: “Nobody I’ve spoken to has expressed concern about that. At the end of the day, if you come to this country and you don’t obey the laws, especially when arrested for a violent crime, you should be held accountable and deported.”

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has shown readiness to collaborate with the Trump administration on homelessness, a focus that has characterized her administration and will likely influence her legacy, despite policy disagreements.

Bass communicated to the Los Angeles Times last month that she believes in finding common ground with Trump regarding housing solutions for the city’s homeless population.

Similarly, Barger stated: “I perceive a different tone emerging from this president. A tone that is more deliberate and strategically oriented in his approach for the next four years.

“I hope that reasonable individuals take a step back and acknowledge that people are weary of hyper-partisan politics. They pay their taxes, regardless of being a Democrat or a Republican.”