California Calls Special Session to Address Trump Policies
A proposed legislation aims to allocate $60 million for contesting potential federal policies concerning the environment, abortion, undocumented immigrants, and LGBTQ+ individuals.
California state lawmakers assembled for a special session on December 2 to strategize for the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump, aiming to challenge anticipated federal decisions regarding environmental regulations, abortion rights, and undocumented immigrants, among other issues.
“We’re gearing up for Trump 2.0, and his rhetoric has only escalated,” Newsom remarked to The Epoch Times, noting Trump’s calls for retribution and revenge, “which requires us to remain vigilant.”
He pointed out that the first term of Trump’s presidency provided valuable lessons on how to react to perceived federal overreach.
“No one is naive,” Newsom stated. “We cannot allow the progress of the last fifty years to vanish.”
While he emphasized the need for readiness for potential legal disputes, the governor expressed a preference for a cooperative approach.
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“Hopefully, we won’t need the resources that the Legislature is prepared to provide,” Newsom added.
The only legislation disclosed thus far is Senate Bill X1-1, introduced by state Sen. Scott Wiener, who leads the Senate budget committee. The bill proposes $25 million for the Department of Justice, $10 million for city and county attorneys, and an additional $25 million to cover the legal expenses of local communities.
Funds allocated to local attorneys can only be utilized for issues pertaining to environmental protection, access to abortion, and civil rights of immigrants and the LGBTQ+ community, as stipulated in the bill.
If the bill is passed and signed into law—which the governor anticipates will happen before Trump’s inauguration on January 20—the funding will also assist nonprofit legal teams providing pro bono services and other initiatives.
“This special session is about defending Californians and upholding California values,” Wiener, a Democrat from San Francisco, stated on the Senate floor. “It is about ensuring that the President of the United States and his administration adhere to the law.”
He also emphasized that any attempts to deport over 1 million undocumented immigrants in California—who the senator estimates contribute approximately $8.5 billion to the state’s economy—would face strong legal opposition.
Senate Majority Leader Lena Gonzalez, chair of the Latino Caucus, expressed that protecting these immigrant communities is a valuable investment.
“Our immigrant communities form the backbone of our state’s leading economy, and we are committed to safeguarding families and the progress we have made in recent years,” the Long Beach Democrat stated.
A representative for the incoming president’s transition team expressed that voters had made their preferences clear on Election Day.
“The American people overwhelmingly reelected President Trump, granting him the mandate to fulfill the promises he made on the campaign trail, including deporting dangerous criminals and restoring our economic strength,” Karoline Leavitt, Trump-Vance transition spokeswoman, told The Epoch Times. “He is committed to delivering.”
Discussions within the state Senate included arguments for collaborating with the new Trump administration rather than pursuing lawsuits.
“We have the Trump administration for the next four years,” asserted state Sen. Shannon Grove, a Republican from Central Valley. “While there will be issues my colleagues may disagree with, there will also be aspects our constituents find favorable. We should strive to work alongside the administration to enhance the lives of Californians.”
More than six million Californians—just over 38 percent of the electorate—cast their votes for Trump in November.
She underscored that allocating additional resources for legal challenges amid ongoing budget deficits—projected to exist for at least the next five years by the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office—would be an irresponsible use of taxpayer funds.
“We need to exercise greater prudence,” Grove said.
No discussions occurred in the Assembly on December 2, with the first review of potential actions expected during the second week of January when lawmakers reconvene at the Capitol.
Critics questioned the underlying motives for the governor’s request.
“This special session is merely a performative act,” Republican Leader James Gallagher remarked to The Epoch Times.
Gallagher argued that the state must realign its priorities and focus on issues that directly affect Californians, such as insurance availability, the “cost of living crisis,” and the nation’s highest unemployment rate.
“This is a governor whose state is struggling… and we’re calling a special session for what? To hire more government attorneys?” Gallagher stated.
Supporters of the session, including Attorney General Rob Bonta, claimed the preparations are essential to effectively protect California’s “people, progress, and values.”
The Senate leader indicated that he is open to collaborating with Trump where possible but is determined to safeguard the state’s economy during the public hearings planned for next year.
“We are in the calm before the storm, and we anticipate hurricane-force winds approaching from the incoming federal administration—it’s crucial to prepare and reinforce our defenses,” Senate President Pro Tem Mike McGuire, a Democrat from Northern California, stated.
“We share the governor’s concerns that California values and fundamental rights may be threatened in the face of this impending storm.”
“He is using the term ‘Trump-Proof’ to obstruct all the tremendous initiatives that can be employed to ‘Make California Great Again,’ but I has just decisively won the election,” Trump wrote.
